ballistite

American  

[bal-uh-stahyt] / ˈbæl əˌstaɪt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a smokeless powder consisting of nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose chiefly in a 40 to 60 percent ratio: used as a solid fuel for rockets.

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Etymology

Origin of ballistite

First recorded in 1890–95; from French balistite; ballist(ic) ( def. ) + -ite ¹ ( def. ); formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ballistite

A gramme of ballistite generates 615 c.c. of permanent gases, and gives rise to 1,365 grm. units of heat.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)

Alfred himself invented dynamite and dynamite gum, and a smokeless powder, ballistite, which he patented in 1867, 1876, and 1889.

From Norwegian Life by Clough, Ethlyn T.

In the case of cordite, as also with ballistite, a considerable quantity of aqueous vapour has to be added to the permanent gases formed.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)

First, there is the Italian one-pounder firing ballistite.

From Indiscreet Letters From Peking Being the Notes of an Eye-Witness, Which Set Forth in Some Detail, from Day to Day, the Real Story of the Siege and Sack of a Distressed Capital in 1900—The Year of Great Tribulation by Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)

The ballistite made in Germany contained more nitro-cellulose, and the finished powder was coated with graphite.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)