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Glite Dictionary
cluster bomblet

cluster bomblet

9.4
A small bomb released from a larger bomb that spreads and explodes over a wide area
  • noun
  • /ˈklʌstər ˈbɑmˌlɛt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bomba de racimo pequeña
  • A soldier discovered an unexploded cluster bomblet while clearing the battlefield.

Examples

  • But if our own warlords and kleptocrats keep sowing dragon's teeth all over the place, along with cluster bomblets and mines and every other war-toy invention, then there are yet another set of reasons humanity is on the way out.

    Blog text (3)

  • The debris field from the cluster bomblet covered a wide area after it detonated.

  • Many communities are still affected by the danger of cluster bomblets left from previous conflicts.

Synonyms

bomblet
vscluster bomblet
  • Specialized
1 9.7

A small explosive device released from a larger weapon that spreads out over an area

is the longer compound form used for the same device
bombie
vscluster bomblet
  • Jargon
9.9

A small unexploded bomb left behind after being dropped

is designed to detonate and spread rather than remain unexploded

Surface Forms

cluster bomblet singular
cluster bomblets plural

Morphology

cluster + bomblet

The noun is directly compositional: 'bomblet' denotes a small explosive and 'cluster' denotes a group/collection, so 'cluster bomblet' straightforwardly refers to one of the small explosives that make up a cluster munition. Although the term is technical, its meaning is predictable from the constituents and would be understandable to a B1 learner who already knows both words.

Etymology

Cluster bomblet comes from the words cluster (a group) and bomblet (a small bomb). The name gives the image of many tiny bombs falling like a bunch and exploding over a wide area, so it means one 'small explosive' released from a larger cluster.