napalm
[ ney-pahm ]
/ ˈneɪ pɑm /
noun
a highly incendiary jellylike substance used in fire bombs, flamethrowers, etc.
verb (used with object)
to drop bombs containing napalm on (troops, a city, or the like).
Origin of napalm
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for napalm
British Dictionary definitions for napalm
napalm
/ (ˈneɪpɑːm, ˈnæ-) /
noun
a thick and highly incendiary liquid, usually consisting of petrol gelled with aluminium soaps, used in firebombs, flame-throwers, etc
verb
(tr) to attack with napalm
Word Origin for napalm
C20: from na (phthene) + palm (itate)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for napalm
napalm
1942, from na(phthenic) palm(itic) acids, used in manufacture of the chemical that thickens gasoline. The verb is 1950, from the noun. Related: Napalmed; napalming.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Science definitions for napalm
napalm
[ nā′päm′ ]
A firm jelly made by mixing gasoline with aluminum salts (made of fatty acids). It is used in some bombs and in flamethrowers. Napalm was developed during World War II.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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