cordite

[ kawr-dahyt ]
/ ˈkɔr daɪt /

noun

a smokeless, slow-burning powder composed of 30 to 58 percent nitroglycerin, 37 to 65 percent cellulose nitrate, and 5 to 6 percent mineral jelly.
Also called pyrocellulose.

Origin of cordite

1885–90; cord + -ite1, so called from its cordlike form

Words nearby cordite

cordillera oriental, cordillera real, cordilleras, cording, cordis, cordite, cordless, cordless telephone, cordo-, cordoba, cordon

Example sentences from the Web for cordite

British Dictionary definitions for cordite

cordite
/ (ˈkɔːdaɪt) /

noun

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

Word Origin for cordite

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

Scientific definitions for cordite

cordite
[ kôr′dīt′ ]

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.