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Glite Dictionary
solid-propellant motor

solid-propellant motor

6.5
An engine that burns solid fuel to push a rocket or missile
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor de propulsión sólida
  • The missile is powered by a solid-propellant motor that ensures rapid ignition and acceleration.

Examples

  • Engineers chose a solid-propellant motor for its reliability and simplicity in design.

  • NASA uses a solid-propellant motor for its space missions.

  • A solid-propellant motor requires careful storage because the fuel is cast directly into the casing.

  • The solid-propellant motor was tested successfully last week.

  • The rocket uses a solid-propellant motor that provides powerful thrust during launch.

  • For the satellite launch, engineers selected a solid-propellant motor due to its low maintenance needs.

  • A solid-propellant motor allows for a simpler design compared to liquid-fueled engines.

Synonyms

rocket engine
vssolid-propellant motor
  • Specialized
5 3.6

A machine that makes a push by throwing out its own fuel very fast for spaceships or missiles

refers to the specific form that mixes fuel and oxidizer as a solid
solid-fuel rocket
vssolid-propellant motor
  • Specialized
5.3

An engine that burns solid fuel to push a vehicle into the sky

uses a premixed chemical combining fuel and oxidizer

Surface Forms

solid-propellant motor singular
solid-propellant motors plural

Morphology

solid-propellant + motor

The phrase is compositionally transparent: it denotes a motor that uses a solid propellant (solid + propellant) and follows a regular modifier + noun pattern, so the overall meaning can be inferred from the parts. Although technical, a B1 learner who knows the constituents ('solid', 'propellant', 'motor') would reasonably deduce it refers to a motor powered by a solid fuel.

Etymology

Solid-propellant motor comes from the idea that the engine uses a solid propellant — a hard block of 'fuel' placed inside the motor. Imagine a candle burning inside a tube to 'push' the rocket; that's why the name means a rocket engine that carries and burns its solid 'fuel'.