cordite

[ kawr-dahyt ]

noun

1. a smokeless, slow-burning powder composed of 30 to 58 percent nitroglycerin, 37 to 65 percent nitrocellulose, and 5 to 6 percent mineral jelly.

cordite

/ ˈkɔːdaɪt /

noun

1. any of various explosive materials used for propelling bullets, shells, etc, containing cellulose nitrate, sometimes mixed with nitroglycerine, plasticizers, and stabilizers

cordite

/ kôr′dīt′ /

1. An explosive powder consisting of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and petroleum jelly, used as a propellant for guns. It does not generate smoke and is shaped into cords.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordite¹

First recorded in 1885–90; cord + -ite ¹, so called from its cordlike form

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordite¹

C19: from cord + -ite ¹, referring to its stringy appearance

Example Sentences

It’s not even gunshot residue on the hands of your prime suspect, but there is a distinct whiff of cordite in the air which may be suggesting something.

From Time

By now the air in the room was awful, hanging with the smell of cordite, lit only by the muzzle flashes.

From The Daily Beast

Its weight is staggering, and it shoots a solid ball, backed up by a fearful charge of cordite.

From Project Gutenberg

Up another gangway enough cordite to blow up the whole of Liverpool was being gingerly carried in small cases.

From Project Gutenberg

His feet were scorched with burning cordite, and momentarily he released his grip of his enemy's throat, which he had seized.

From Project Gutenberg

A bursting shell had started a fire among some cordite charges in the casemate.

From Project Gutenberg

A high velocity cordite rifle is dangerous to the country people, and some rifle firing black powder should be used.

From Project Gutenberg