ballistite

[ bal-uh-stahyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a smokeless powder consisting of nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose chiefly in a 40 to 60 percent ratio: used as a solid fuel for rockets.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballistite¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from French balistite; ballist(ic) ( def ) + -ite ¹( def ); formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

Ballistite was adopted by the Italian government in 1890 as a military powder.

From Project Gutenberg

Ballistite: equal parts of nitroglycerine and soluble nitrocotton with some mineral jelly.

From Project Gutenberg

For ballistite the nitrocellulose is beaten up with nitroglycerine in water.

From Project Gutenberg

Such words as Schultz, Blue Ribbon, Dupont, Ballistite and Hazard are rolled like sweet morsels under the tongue.

From Project Gutenberg

The leading representatives of this class of propulsive explosives, or 'smokeless powders' are ballistite and cordite, the technology of which will be found fully discussed in special manuals of the subject.

From Project Gutenberg