nitrocellulose

American  

[nahy-truh-sel-yuh-lohs] / ˌnaɪ trəˈsɛl jəˌloʊs /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of a group of nitric esters of cellulose, used in the manufacture of lacquers and explosives: used as a film base in the early days of filmmaking, nitrocellulose is now a common component of multilayered film structures, especially cellophane.

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nitrocellulose British  

/ ˌnaɪtrəʊˈsɛljʊˌləʊs /

noun

1. another name (not in chemical usage) for cellulose nitrate

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nitrocellulose Scientific  

/ nī′trō-sĕl′yə-lōs′ /

1. A pulpy or cottonlike polymer derived from cellulose treated with sulfuric and nitric acids. It is used in the manufacture of explosives, plastics, and solid propellants.

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Other Word Forms

• nitrocellulosic
  adjective
• nitrocellulous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nitrocellulose

First recorded in 1880–85; nitro- + cellulose

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nitrocellulose

The U.S. relies primarily on one nitrocellulose factory in Virginia, while Europe has several.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Included in Wednesday’s sanctions announcement are importers of cotton cellulose and nitrocellulose — used to produce gunpowder, rocket propellants and other explosives.

From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2024

The disc is made of aluminium, treated with a layer of nitrocellulose then coated with a sapphire and quartz gradient, but is playable on any regular turntable.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2022

In Frederick, Ellume is sourcing nitrocellulose strips from India, said Parsons, the Ellume chief executive.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 2022

Collodion is a solution of nitrocellulose in a mixture of alcohol and ether.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by William McPherson