gelignite

[ jel-ig-nahyt ]

noun

1. gelatin dynamite.

gelignite

/ ˈdʒɛlɪɡˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a type of dynamite in which the nitrogelatine is absorbed in a base of wood pulp and potassium or sodium nitrate Also called (informal)gellyˈdʒɛlɪ

Word History and Origins

Origin of gelignite¹

gel(atin) + Latin ign ( is ) fire + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gelignite¹

C19: from gel ( atine ) + Latin ignis fire + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Booby trap, incendiary device, gelignite and rubber bullets are, writes Kennedy, “the vocabulary of a seven-year-old child now.”

From Washington Post

In another raid in the same town police found IS uniforms, 150 sticks of gelignite, 100,000 metal balls and a drone camera, a military spokesman said.

From BBC

"Graham, a compact parcel of Scouse gelignite, doesn't tend to play softies, so his simmering aggression felt all too credible."

From BBC

Improved equipment, such as the pneumatic drill and gelignite, meant engineers on the second project were able to take make quicker progress and take a more direct line.

From BBC

When asked if he had planted the gelignite explosives, he replied: "I'm not telling you."

From BBC

Related Words

• nitroglycerin