guncotton

[ guhn-kot-n ]

noun

1. a highly explosive nitrocellulose, made by breaking down clean cotton in a mixture of one part nitric acid and three parts sulfuric acid: used in making smokeless powder.

guncotton

/ ˈɡʌnˌkɒtən /

noun

1. cellulose nitrate containing a relatively large amount of nitrogen: used as an explosive

Word History and Origins

Origin of guncotton¹

First recorded in 1840–50; gun ¹ + cotton

Example Sentences

And suddenly Guncotton produced his will-o-the-wisp trick, which completed the illusion.

From Project Gutenberg

These are crumbling in places, and the Pioneers might destroy the bastion and breach the wall with a bag or two of guncotton.

From Project Gutenberg

The soldiers formed a square round the gun, charged it with guncotton, shouted 'Stand back!'

From Project Gutenberg

For this purpose electric fuzes (for powder) or electric detonators (for guncotton or other high explosive) are employed.

From Project Gutenberg

Some very good bombs were made from jam-tins with a wad of guncotton, and filled up with all manner of missiles.

From Project Gutenberg