dynamite

American  

[dahy-nuh-mahyt] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.

2. any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

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verb (used with object)

dynamites, present (3rd person singular) dynamited, past participle, past dynamiting present participle

1. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite.

   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.

2. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

1. Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch.

   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

dynamite British  

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp

2. informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

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verb

1. (tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

dynamite Scientific  

/ dī′nə-mīt′ /

1. A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dynamiter
  noun
• dynamitic
  adjective
• dynamitically
  adverb
• undynamited
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have dynamited
  perfect
• has dynamited
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are dynamiting
  progressive
• have been dynamiting
  perfect progressive
• is dynamiting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been dynamiting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am dynamiting
  progressive 1st person singular
• dynamites
  singular 3rd person
• dynamiting
  participle

Past

• had dynamited
  perfect
• had been dynamiting
  perfect progressive
• were dynamiting
  progressive plural
• was dynamiting
  progressive singular
• dynamited
  simple
• dynamited
  participle

Future

• will dynamite
  simple
• will have dynamited
  perfect
• will be dynamiting
  progressive
• will have been dynamiting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of dynamite

From Swedish dynamit, introduced by Alfred Bernhard Nobel ( def. ), its inventor in 1867; see dynam-, -ite ¹

Explanation

Dynamite is a material that explodes when it's detonated. Dynamite has long been used in mining, for blasting open layers of rock. Dynamite is not the kind of thing you buy at the corner hardware store. Dynamite was invented in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, chemist, and engineer. Builders and miners were happy about the new explosive, since dynamite was stronger and safer than those that came before it. Nobel named his invention dynamit, a Swedish version of the Greek dynamis, "power." The earliest figurative meaning was "dangerous," but in the 1960s it came to also mean "excellent" or "impressive."

Example Sentences

The professor was carefully taking out a box labelled: DYNAMITE!

From Under the Ocean to the South Pole Or, the Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder by Rockwood, Roy

Related Words

• nitroglycerin