ballistite

[bal-uh-stahyt]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballistite¹

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

Example Sentences

Ballistite was adopted by the Italian government in 1890 as a military powder.

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Ballistite: equal parts of nitroglycerine and soluble nitrocotton with some mineral jelly.

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For ballistite the nitrocellulose is beaten up with nitroglycerine in water.

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Such words as Schultz, Blue Ribbon, Dupont, Ballistite and Hazard are rolled like sweet morsels under the tongue.

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The leading representatives of this class of propulsive explosives, or 'smokeless powders' are ballistite and cordite, the technology of which will be found fully discussed in special manuals of the subject.

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