hypergolic

[ hahy-per-gaw-lik, -gol-ik ]
/ ˌhaɪ pərˈgɔ lɪk, -ˈgɒl ɪk /

adjective

(especially of rocket-fuel propellant constituents) igniting spontaneously upon contact with a complementary substance.

Origin of hypergolic

First recorded in 1945–50; hyp(er)- + erg- + -ol2 + -ic

Words nearby hypergolic

hyperglycinuria, hyperglycogenolysis, hyperglycorrhachia, hyperglycosuria, hypergol, hypergolic, hypergonadism, hypergonadotropic, hypergonadotropic eunuchoidism, hyperhemoglobinemia, hyperhidrosis

British Dictionary definitions for hypergolic

hypergolic
/ (ˌhaɪpəˈɡɒlɪk) /

adjective

(of a rocket fuel) able to ignite spontaneously on contact with an oxidizer

Word Origin for hypergolic

C20: from German Hypergol (perhaps from hyp ( er-) + erg 1 + -ol ²) + -ic

Scientific definitions for hypergolic

hypergolic
[ hī′pər-gŏl′ĭk ]

Relating to or using a rocket propellant consisting of liquid fuel and an oxidizer that ignite spontaneously on contact.