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

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)

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

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various

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.

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 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.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.