claymore mine

noun

, Military.

1. an antipersonnel mine designed to produce a direction-guided, fan-shaped pattern of fragments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of claymore mine¹

First recorded in 1965–70; perhaps after claymore

Example Sentences

In this instance, it was a claymore mine — an explosive that sprays shrapnel toward its targets — that had a trip wire.

From New York Times

Related Words

• booby trap
• mine