hypergolic

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

adjective

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

Origin of hypergolic

First recorded in 1945–50; hyp(er)- + erg- + -ol² + -ic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for hypergolic

hypergolic

adjective

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

Word Origin for hypergolic

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for hypergolic

hypergolic

[hī′pər-gŏl′ĭk]

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