Flameproofings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A protective layer or treatment applied to materials to prevent ignition and minimize fire damage
2. materials that are engineered to resist combustion and maintain structural integrity even under extreme heat
3. the process of enhancing the resistance of fabrics and other substances against flames and high temperatures

Etymology: "Flameproofings" is the plural of "flameproofing," a noun for treatments or materials that resist fire. The base is a compound of "flame" and "proof," with the "-ing" suffix turning it into a noun for the substances or processes involved. "Flame" comes from Old French "flamme," from Latin "flamma," meaning blaze. "Proof" comes from Old French "prueve," from Latin "proba," meaning test or trial. In this sense, "proof" means able to withstand something, as in "waterproof," so "flameproof" means able to withstand fire. The pattern is shared with other "-proof" compounds such as "shatterproof" and "bulletproof."