cyclonite

[ sahy-kluh-nahyt, sik-luh- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. RDX.

cyclonite

/ ˈsaɪkləˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a white crystalline insoluble explosive prepared by the action of nitric acid on hexamethylenetetramine; cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine: used in bombs and shells. Formula: C 3 H 6 N 6 O 6

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyclonite¹

First recorded in 1920–25; cyclo- + (tri)nit(ro-) + (amin)e

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyclonite¹

C20: from cyclo- + ( trimethylene-tri ) nit ( ramin ) e

Example Sentences

His third was a graze; so close that its proximity fuze functioned, detonating the cyclonite-packed war-head.

From Project Gutenberg