Definition

1. Noun:
   • A malleable explosive substance: A plastic explosive is a soft, moldable explosive material that can be shaped by hand. It is designed to be easily applied to or molded around irregular surfaces, such as those of the object intended to be destroyed. Its pliability allows for precise placement and maximum contact, increasing its destructive effectiveness.

Usage

• Plastic explosives are primarily used in military, demolition, and certain specialized industrial applications.
• They are known for their stability and resistance to accidental detonation from shock or fire, requiring a detonator to explode.
• The term is often used in contexts discussing demolitions, sabotage, or counter-terrorism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The engineers used plastic explosive to breach the reinforced door.
  • Security personnel are trained to detect concealed plastic explosive.
  • C-4 is a well-known type of plastic explosive.

Advanced Usage

• "to mold plastic explosive": To shape the explosive material by hand.
  • The operative carefully molded the plastic explosive around the lock.

Variants and Related Words

• PE (n): A common abbreviation for plastic explosive.
• Malleable explosive (n): A descriptive synonym emphasizing its physical property.
• Demolition charge (n): A general term for an explosive device used for destruction, which may use plastic explosive.

Synonyms

• Malleable explosive: Highlights the key physical characteristic.
• Shaped explosive: Emphasizes its ability to be formed for a specific target.

Related Phrases

• Sheet explosive: A related type of explosive that comes in flexible sheets, similar in pliability to some plastic explosives.
• Binary explosive: A different type of safe-to-handle explosive that becomes active when two components are mixed, contrasting with the pre-mixed nature of plastic explosive.

Noun

1. an explosive material that is easily molded around the object it is intended to destroy