detonator
69
6.7
- noun
- /ˈdɛtəˌneɪtər/
- Specialized
:
detonador
- The engineers tested the detonator to ensure it would activate the explosives safely.
- bomb detonators
- a remote detonator
- phone detonators
This, you may or may not recognize is a thermal detonator from Star Wars, The Return of the Jedi.
- This, you may or may not recognize is a thermal detonator from Star Wars, The Return of the Jedi.
Examples
-
Then he inserted a small charge of dynamite and wired it to a handheld detonator.
Fiction book (2001) -
Subsequent to the attacks, FBI investigators confirmed that terrorists used cell phones as remote detonators in both operations.
Academic text (2007) -
How much time do you have on that detonator?
-
It's fitted with an impact detonator.
-
The remote detonator on the bomb has been damaged.
-
Before Nikolai can get to the detonator, Leo has it.
Fiction book (1994) -
All the claymores are wired back to one detonator which has a RADIO-CONTROL RELAY switch.
Fiction book (1991) -
A multi-frequency radio detonator.
-
Pitts clicks a six-digit code into a digital pad on the device's remote detonator.
Fiction book (1998) -
If the detonators don't charge, or the voltage drops below one volt, you hit that button, you abort.
Synonyms
39
7.3
A small device that makes a loud pop when it is set off
11
7.9
A small device that makes a larger explosive go off
1
6.8
A small object or bit of explosive used to start a larger explosion
1
7.1
A device or person who makes things blow up to destroy buildings
A small cord with an explosive charge that makes a bomb explode
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Detonator comes from the old parts de- and tonare, where tonare means 'to thunder' and de- means 'down' or 'away'. A helpful image is a small thing that makes the big blast 'thunder', so a detonator is the device that starts or triggers an explosion.