nitrocellulose

American  

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

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

The plant located in the town of Bergerac specializes in making nitrocellulose, a highly flammable chemical compound.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2022

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

Typical nail lacquer, or nail polish, is made up of pigment plus a sort of plastic-y substance called nitrocellulose dissolved in a solvent.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2019

This, then, might be called the beginning of the guncotton or nitrocellulose period—or, perhaps in deference to the caveman's club, the second cellulose period of human warfare.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.