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smoke grenade

smoke grenade

4 5.2
A small object that makes thick smoke to hide people or mark a place
  • noun
  • /smoʊk ɡrəˈneɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : granada de humo
  • The man leaps out, throwing back inside a smoke grenade, and locks the skylight.
  • throws a smoke grenade
  • fire smoke grenades
  • yellow smoke grenades

Another reason was the bad quality of the early versions of smoke grenades, which could in worst case cause like eye strain and breathing problems.

Examples

  • Brought you a flak-jacket and the smoke grenades you wanted.

  • The soldier activated a smoke grenade to provide cover as his unit advanced through the battlefield.

  • Let's use those yellow smoke grenades!

  • "We found the targets via some red smoke from a smoke grenade that these guys put up on a hill."

    Blog text (5)
  • Operators throw smoke grenades in area streets.

    Blog text (7)
  • When we're all set, Bravo will detonate smoke grenades, giving us cover on the inside.

  • Attached to the front of the commando's Kevlar vest are several smoke grenades.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • During the training exercise, the squad deployed a smoke grenade to create a visual barrier against enemy observation.

  • To signal their position, the team used a smoke grenade, releasing a thick cloud of smoke in the area.

Synonyms

smoke bomb
vssmoke grenade
4 3.7

A small object that makes a thick cloud of smoke to hide people or mark a place

is a small explosive device made especially to produce thick smoke

How Obscuring

smoke screen
  • Specialized
1 5.5
smoke grenade
  • Specialized
4 5.2

Surface Forms

smoke grenade singular

Morphology

smoke + grenade

The meaning 'a grenade that releases or produces smoke' is directly derivable from combining 'smoke' (visible plume from combustion) with 'grenade' (a hand bomb). Noun+noun compounds with a modifier reading are common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer this sense.

Etymology

Smoke grenade names a small device that, like a tiny grenade, releases thick smoke when it breaks open. So the name directly shows its use: it makes a 'smoke screen' or 'marks a position'.