Defn: In the breech mechanism of a firearm, the pin which strikes the head of the cartridge and explodes it.

FIRK Firk, v. t. Etym: [Cf. OE. ferken to proceed, hasten, AS. fercian to bring, assist; perh. akin to faran to go, E. fare.]

Defn: To beat; to strike; to chastise. [Obs.]
I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Shak.

FIRK
Firk, v. i.

Defn: To fly out; to turn out; to go off. [Obs.]
A wench is a rare bait, with which a man
No sooner's taken but he straight firks mad.B.Jonson.

FIRK
Firk, n.

Defn: A freak; trick; quirk. [Obs.] Ford.

FIRKIN
Fir"kin, n. Etym: [From AS. feówer four (or an allied word, perh.
Dutch or Danish) + -kin. See Four.]

1. A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. [Eng.]

2. A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, — used for butter, lard, etc. [U.S.]