Definition

Noun: 1. A soft-nosed or hollow-point bullet designed to expand upon impact: A "dumdum" is a type of small-arms projectile with a soft lead core or a hollowed tip. This design causes the bullet to flatten and expand dramatically when it hits a soft target, creating a larger wound channel than a standard full-metal-jacket bullet. The term is often used generically for expanding bullets. * The use of dumdum bullets in warfare is prohibited by international law. * The forensic report indicated the victim was shot with a dumdum.

Usage

The word "dumdum" is almost exclusively used to refer to this specific type of ammunition. It carries strong connotations of being inhumane or excessively destructive due to its association with banned warfare and severe injuries. It is a technical term found in legal, military, forensic, and historical contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The Hague Convention of 1899 outlawed the use of dumdum bullets in international conflicts.
  • Hunters sometimes use dumdum rounds for larger game to ensure a quick, ethical kill.
  • The detective knew the extensive tissue damage was characteristic of a dumdum.

Advanced Usage

• "dumdum bullet": This is the full, formal term. "Dumdum" alone functions as a shorthand for it.
  • The treaty specifically bans "dumdum bullets" and other expanding projectiles.

Variants and Related Words

• Hollow-point (bullet) (n): A modern, common type of expanding bullet, often considered a technical synonym for "dumdum" in civilian contexts (e.g., law enforcement, hunting).
• Soft-point (bullet) (n): Another type of expanding bullet where the lead core is exposed at the tip.
• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) (n): A specific, widely manufactured design of hollow-point bullet.

Synonyms

• Expanding bullet: The general, more technical term.
• Hollow-point: A common specific type; often used interchangeably in modern usage.

Notes on Meaning

The term originates from the Dum Dum arsenal near Kolkata, India, where such bullets were first developed and produced for the British army in the late 19th century. While "dumdum" is a specific historical term, in contemporary usage it is often applied generically to any bullet designed to expand upon impact, particularly those prohibited in warfare.

Noun

1. a soft-nosed small-arms bullet that expands when it hits a target and causes a gaping wound