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Glite Dictionary
cellulose nitrate

cellulose nitrate

8.3
A very flammable material made from plant fibers and a strong acid, used in lacquers, early photographic film, and explosives
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛljʊloʊs ˈnaɪtreɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nitrato de celulosa
  • Early photographic films were made with cellulose nitrate, which proved to be highly flammable.

Examples

  • The furniture's glossy finish is due to a cellulose nitrate lacquer applied to the wood.

  • Many old photographs were printed on cellulose nitrate film.

  • Due to its explosive properties, cellulose nitrate must be stored and handled with great care.

  • The film was made from cellulose nitrate.

  • Due to its explosive properties, cellulose nitrate must be stored and handled with great care.

  • Early photographic films were made with cellulose nitrate, which is known for its high flammability.

  • The glossy finish of the furniture is created using a cellulose nitrate lacquer that enhances its appearance.

Synonyms

nitro
vscellulose nitrate
  • Archaic
4 8.6

A very flammable material made from chemicals with nitrogen and oxygen used in old movie film

is the specific chemical produced by treating cellulose with nitric acid
nitrocellulose
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A very flammable chemical made from plant fiber used in old film, paint, and explosives

is the same chemical concept expressed as the standard technical name
guncotton
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A highly flammable material made from cotton and strong acid used in explosives and varnish

is the general compound family not limited to cotton as raw material
nitrocotton
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
9.9

A strong, light material made from cotton treated with acid used in films and explosives

is the broader chemical term covering similar esters used for film and explosives
pyroxylin
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
9.9

A very flammable chemical made from plant fibers used to make early plastics, film, and shiny coatings

is the overall nitro compound group including these manufactured forms
pyroxyline
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
9.9

A very flammable chemical used to make photographic film, plastics, and varnish

is the general chemical class that includes this manufactured variant
pyrocellulose
vscellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical from plant material that burns easily and is used to make smokeless powder

is the general highly flammable compound group, not limited by nitrogen level

How Flammable

cellulose nitrate
  • Specialized
8.3
combustible material
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Surface Forms

cellulose nitrate singular
cellulose nitrates plural

Morphology

cellulose + nitrate

The compound name is clearly compositional: 'cellulose' + 'nitrate' denotes the nitrate (nitrated) form of cellulose, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a chemical derivative of cellulose. Although the full implications (e.g., high flammability, specific uses) are technical, the basic identity of the substance is directly predictable from its parts and follows standard chemical naming patterns.

Etymology

Cellulose nitrate is a literal name: it is cellulose, the material from plants, that was changed by a strong acid to add nitrate parts, creating a material that is 'very flammable'. That's why it was used for old film, lacquers, and even explosives.