mercury fulminate

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a gray, crystalline solid, Hg(CNO) 2 , used chiefly in the manufacture of commercial and military detonators.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercury fulminate¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The trip wire activated a stun grenade—a small device filled with a mixture of magnesium powder and mercury fulminate.

From Literature

They're lined with mercury fulminate, and you want to take your shoes off when you come near that.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a more powerful explosive than mercury fulminate, and has been used instead, in the manufacture of detonators.

From Project Gutenberg

Chemistry advances, like the isolation of mercury fulminate in 1800, led to the invention of the percussion cap and other primers.

From Project Gutenberg

Pure mercury fulminate may be kept an indefinite length of time.

From Project Gutenberg