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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.


Etymology

Origin of ballistite

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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 P. Gerald (Percy Gerald) Sanford

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 B. L. (Bertram Lenox) Putnam Weale

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 P. Gerald (Percy Gerald) Sanford

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

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

Nitro-glycerine is also largely used in the manufacture of smokeless powders, such as cordite, ballistite, and several others.

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

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