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Glite Dictionary
trinitroglycerin

trinitroglycerin

9.9
A very strong yellow oily liquid that can explode and is used in small doses to treat chest pain
  • noun
  • /ˌtraɪnɪtroʊˈɡlɪsərɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trinitroglicerina
  • Doctors sometimes prescribe trinitroglycerin in small doses to treat chest pain.

Examples

  • The chemical plant has strict safety protocols for handling trinitroglycerin.

  • The explosive power of trinitroglycerin revolutionized the mining industry.

  • The scientist carefully handled trinitroglycerin in the lab.

  • Is trinitroglycerin safe to use in small doses?

  • Doctors sometimes prescribe trinitroglycerin in small doses to treat chest pain.

  • The chemical plant has strict safety protocols for handling trinitroglycerin.

  • The explosive power of trinitroglycerin revolutionized the mining industry.

Synonyms

nitroglycerin
vstrinitroglycerin
  • Specialized
16 6.7

A heavy oily liquid that explodes, poisons people, and can widen blood vessels to treat heart pain

is the formal chemical name used in technical or scientific contexts
glyceryl trinitrate
vstrinitroglycerin
  • Specialized
6.6

A strong chemical used as a medicine to relieve chest pain and in explosives

is the general or trade name used in ordinary medical and industrial speech
Nitrospan
vstrinitroglycerin
  • Specialized
5.8

A medicine used for chest pain that widens blood vessels

is the generic chemical name rather than a brand label
Nitrostat
vstrinitroglycerin
  • Specialized
6.6

A tablet of nitroglycerin placed under the tongue to treat sudden chest pain from angina

is the nonbrand chemical name used both medically and industrially

Surface Forms

trinitroglycerin singular
trinitroglycerins plural

Morphology

trinitroglycerin = nitroglycerin (semi-transparent) = tri + nitro + glycerin

The prefix 'tri-' indicates three nitro groups, which is clear to those familiar with chemical naming, but not fully transparent to all learners.

Etymology

Trinitroglycerin breaks into tri- 'three', nitro from nitrogen 'a gas', and glycerin 'sweet oil'. So it means a glycerin substance with three 'nitro' parts, which is why it is an oily liquid that can be very explosive and why small doses are used as medicine for chest pain.