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Glite Dictionary
trinitrotoluene

trinitrotoluene

1 9.7
A strong chemical explosive used in bombs and demolition work
  • noun
  • /ˌtraɪnɪtroʊˈtoʊluˌin/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trinitrotolueno
  • As for the explosives, girls, I'd go for RDX rather than Trinitrotoluene.
  • trinitrotoluene (TNT)

Examples

  • The trinitrotoluene award.

    Spaced Invaders (1990)

  • The Smellmaster says it's trinitrotoluene.

    Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)

  • Trinitrotoluene I'll tell him you called.

    Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)

  • And if my memory serves me right, trinitrotoluene is the proper name for… TNT!

    Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)

  • It was a small army antipersonnel mine with a trinitrotoluene charge, the kind nicknamed "Souvenir for..." The detective lifted his eyes and regained his poise.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The army tested the effectiveness of trinitrotoluene in controlled explosions.

  • During the investigation, experts found residues of trinitrotoluene at the scene.

  • Scientists use trinitrotoluene as a benchmark for measuring the performance of other explosives.

Synonyms

TNT
vstrinitrotoluene
  • Specialized
26 6.0

A strong explosive made from a yellow material used to break rock or destroy buildings

is the formal chemical term used in laboratories for analysis not only munitions

Surface Forms

trinitrotoluene singular
trinitrotoluenes plural

Morphology

trinitrotoluene = toluene (opaque) = tri + nitro + toluene

The formation follows technical chemical nomenclature (trinitro- + toluene) and uses specialized morphemes unfamiliar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Trinitrotoluene is a name made of clear parts: tri- means 'three', nitro refers to 'nitrogen' groups, and toluene is the base chemical. So trinitrotoluene is 'toluene' with three 'nitro' parts, which is why this compound, often called TNT, is a powerful explosive.