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aerosol bomb

aerosol bomb

7.1
A container under pressure that sprays a fine mist of liquid or gas when opened
  • noun
  • /ˈɛəroʊsɒl bɑm/
translation icon : aerosol
  • He described the effects of the aerosol bomb used to release insecticide in the test field.

Examples

  • Authorities warned that an aerosol bomb could pose health risks if misused in populated areas.

  • An aerosol bomb can disperse chemicals over a wide area.

  • The military developed a new type of aerosol bomb for dispersing chemicals over a wide area.

  • The military developed an aerosol bomb for crowd control.

  • Authorities warned that an aerosol bomb could pose health risks if misused in populated areas.

  • He described the effects of the aerosol bomb used to release insecticide in the test field.

  • An aerosol bomb can disperse chemicals over a wide area.

Synonyms

spray
vsaerosol bomb
72 1.0

A small device that sends liquid out as a fine mist

specifies a pressurized dispenser form often used to release contents forcefully
aerosol
vsaerosol bomb
12 4.7

A container that holds liquid or gas under pressure and sprays it as a fine mist

highlights use as a pressurized dispenser repurposed into a device for dispersal
spray can
vsaerosol bomb
5 2.4

A small container that sprays liquid or gas when you press a button

focuses more on being used as a makeshift dispersal instrument rather than appliance
nebulizer
vsaerosol bomb
  • Specialized
5 6.6

A device that makes a fine mist from liquid for breathing or spraying

relies on pressurized rapid release for broad dispersal instead of gentle inhalation
atomizer
vsaerosol bomb
4 6.0

A small device that turns liquid into a fine spray for perfume or medicine

uses pressurized storage and wider dispersal rather than delicate personal misting
aerosol can
vsaerosol bomb
3 3.9

A small metal or plastic container that holds liquid under pressure and sprays a fine mist

is about a pressurized dispenser used as an improvised dispersing device
spray gun
vsaerosol bomb
1 3.6

A tool like a gun that sends out paint or other liquid in tiny drops

differs by being a repurposed pressurized dispenser used as a hazardous disperser
aerosol container
vsaerosol bomb
1 3.9

A small metal or plastic can that holds liquid under pressure and sprays it as a fine mist

is the same pressurized dispensing idea but framed as an improvised device

How Pressurized

aerosol bomb
7.1
spray
72 1.0
dispenser
25 3.5
bottle
1.0
container
245 1.3

Surface Forms

aerosol bomb singular
aerosol bombs plural

Morphology

aerosol + bomb

The basic idea of a device that disperses aerosol is largely derivable from combining 'aerosol' (fine spray/particles) with 'bomb' (a device that disperses or releases), so part of the meaning is compositional. However, 'bomb' often carries an explosive/destructive sense and the specific technical sense of a pressurized dispenser releasing a fine spray (rather than an explosive device) may not be obvious to a B1 learner, so the relation is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Aerosol bomb may come from the idea of everyday spray cans that release a mist quickly. Imagine a can under pressure that forces out a fine spray (aerosol) all at once like a sudden burst (bomb), so the phrase can mean a device that releases a mist over a wide area.