hypergolic

[ hahy-per-gaw-lik, -gol-ik ]

adjective

1. (especially of rocket-fuel propellant constituents) igniting spontaneously upon contact with a complementary substance.

hypergolic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈɡɒlɪk /

adjective

1. (of a rocket fuel) able to ignite spontaneously on contact with an oxidizer

hypergolic

/ hī′pər-gŏl′ĭk /

1. Relating to or using a rocket propellant consisting of liquid fuel and an oxidizer that ignite spontaneously on contact.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypergolic¹

First recorded in 1945–50; hyp(er)- + erg(o)- ¹ + -ol ² + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypergolic¹

C20: from German Hypergol (perhaps from hyp ( er- ) + erg ¹+ -ol ²) + -ic