gunpowder
Definition
Noun: A chemical explosive mixture, traditionally composed of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It is used as a propellant in firearms, in demolition, and as the explosive charge in fireworks and fuses.
Examples of Usage
- The invention of gunpowder revolutionized warfare and the construction of fortifications.
- Early fireworks were simple devices filled with gunpowder.
- Handling old, unstable gunpowder can be extremely dangerous.
Advanced Usage
- "To sit on a barrel of gunpowder": To be in a highly volatile or dangerous situation, where a small incident could cause a major conflict or disaster.
- The political tensions in the region meant the diplomats felt they were sitting on a barrel of gunpowder.
Variants and Related Words
- Black powder: A common synonym for traditional gunpowder, referring to its color and composition.
- Smokeless powder: A modern propellant that has largely replaced traditional gunpowder in firearms. It is a related but chemically distinct substance.
- Gunpowder tea: A type of green tea where each leaf is rolled into a small pellet, resembling grains of gunpowder. This is a metaphorical use of the word based on appearance.
Synonyms
- Propellant (specifically for its use in firearms)
- Explosive (a broader category)
- Black powder (direct synonym)
Related Phrases
- Gunpowder plot: A historical reference to the failed 1605 conspiracy to blow up the English Houses of Parliament.
- Gunpowder empire: A historical term for empires (e.g., Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) whose rise was significantly enabled by the use of firearms and cannon technology.
Noun
-
a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks
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