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gelignite

gelignite

1 9.9
A strong explosive like dynamite used to break rock or buildings
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛlɪɡnaɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : gelignita
  • PK inspects his nightly quota of gelignite charges and fuses.

Examples

  • It's twice as powerful as gelignite and only half the weight.

  • The men also throw hand grenades or gelignite bombs at the vehicle and under it.

    Blog text (12)
  • "Jelly" is short for gelignite.

  • Gelignite stolen from a site in County Tyrone.

  • You got the gelignite.

  • Gelignite.

  • Blasted so much gelignite he's permanently deranged in the attic?

    Fiction book (1992)
  • He works at taking a prepared parcel of gelignite sticks and jamming them carefully into a crevice.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The construction crew used gelignite to safely demolish the old building.

  • They carefully stored the gelignite in a secure location away from any heat sources.

Synonyms

dynamite
vsgelignite
  • Specialized
138 5.1

An explosive material used to break rock or destroy buildings

is more specific and uses wood pulp plus sodium or potassium nitrate
gelly
vsgelignite
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An explosive like dynamite used to break rock in mines or construction

is the same meaning but written or used as a variant form

Surface Forms

gelignite singular
gelignites plural

Etymology

Gelignite comes from gelatin, meaning 'jelly-like', because this explosive is made as a thick, jelly-like mix that holds nitroglycerin, a strong explosive liquid. So, think of gelignite as a 'gelatin-like' explosive used like dynamite for blasting and demolition.