ˌlōkōˈfō(ˌ)kō noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from loco motive (I) (self-propelled) + Italian foco, fuoco fire, from Latin focus fireplace, hearth — more at focus
1. : a match or cigar developed during the 19th century and capable of being ignited by friction on any hard dry rough surface
locofocos … were a decided improvement over the lucifers — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
— compare lucifer , safety match
2. usually capitalized
[so called from a meeting of New York City Democrats on October 22, 1835, to which the radical members came provided with matches to forestall a reported plot by their adversaries to disrupt the meeting by putting out the lights]
a. : a member of a radical group of New York Democrats organized in 1835 in opposition to the regular party organization
editorials that, in the fashion of the northern Locofocos, called for … freedom of banking — Joseph Dorfman
b. : democrat 2
the two great belligerents — the Locofocos and Whigs — Diplomatic Correspondence of Texas