co2 extinguisher

Extinguisher \Ex*tin"guish*er\, n.
   One who, or that which, extinguishes; esp., a hollow cone or
   other device for extinguishing a flame, as of a torch or
   candle.
   [1913 Webster]

   {fire extinguisher} a portable device designed to deliver
      chemicals, usually in a stream, that can suppress or
      extinguish a fire. Examples of fire extinghuishers are a
      {carbon dioxide extinguisher}, or {CO2 extinguisher}, and
      {soda-acid extinguisher}.
      [PJC]
    

CO2 extinguisher \CO2 extinguisher\ (s[=e]"[-o]*t[=oo]`
   [e^]ks*t[i^][ng]"gw[i^]sh*[~e]r),
   a device for suppressing fire, consisting of a steel cylinder
   containing compressed carbon dioxide, which may be released
   by pressing on a handle. The release of the gas is usually
   accomplished through a hose attached to a funnel-shaped vent
   which is directed at the base of the fire, and when released,
   part of the carbon dioxide is chilled sufficiently to
   solidify into a powder. The large quantity of inert carbon
   dioxide released on top of a small fire is usually sufficient
   to exinguish the flame by excluding oxygen, and the cooling
   effect also helps drive the temperature of the combustible
   material below that required to support compustion. It is
   used in situations where putting water on the fire might
   cause undesirable damage.
   [PJC]