gunpaper

[ guhn-pey-per ]

noun

, Military.

1. a type of paper treated with nitric acid so that it has a composition similar to that of guncotton.

gunpaper

/ ˈɡʌnˌpeɪpə /

noun

1. a cellulose nitrate explosive made by treating paper with nitric acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunpaper¹

First recorded in 1850–55; gun ¹ + paper