nitroglycerin

[ nahy-truh-glis-er-in ]

/ ˌnaɪ trəˈglɪs ər ɪn /

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noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a colorless, thick, oily, flammable, highly explosive, slightly water-soluble liquid, C3H5N3O9, prepared from glycerol with nitric and sulfuric acids: used chiefly as a constituent of dynamite and other explosives, in rocket propellants, and in medicine as a vasodilator in the treatment of angina pectoris.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Also ni·tro·glyc·er·ine

[nahy-truh-glis-er-in, -uh-reen]. /ˌnaɪ trəˈglɪs ər ɪn, -əˌrin/.

Also called glonoin, glyceryl trinitrate, trinitroglycerin.

Origin of nitroglycerin

First recorded in 1855–60; nitro- + glycerin

Words nearby nitroglycerin

nitrogen narcosis, nitrogenous, nitrogenous wastes, nitrogen peroxide, nitrogen tetroxide, nitroglycerin, nitroglycerine, nitro group, nitrohydrochloric acid, nitrolic, nitromannitol

How to use nitroglycerin in a sentence

Nirenberg prescribed daily application of a nitroglycerin ointment to boost blood flow to the toes.
Got a weird COVID-19 symptom? You’re not alone|Meghan Rosen|November 21, 2022|Science News
A rash of potential products included aromatics, flavorings, nitroglycerin for dynamite, plastics, drugs and more.
Materials of the last century shaped modern life, but at a price|Carolyn Wilke|January 28, 2022|Science News
Having Lou Dobbs and Rick Kaplan reporting to me at the same time was like holding a canister of nitroglycerin in each hand.
What Happened to the Real Lou?|Lloyd Grove|August 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
These are probably largely due to incomplete detonation, by which part of the nitroglycerin is vaporized or merely burned.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1|Various

Like nitroglycerin, the common dynamites freeze at a temperature of from 42 to 46 F.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1|Various
It is used in medicine and in the manufacture of the explosives nitroglycerin and dynamite.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
A hot-water bag was placed with the nitroglycerin and all was wrapped in a heavy blanket to protect it from Jack Frost.
Dynamite Stories|Hudson Maxim
Nobel, however, had discovered that when nitroglycerin was absorbed in infusorial earth, it was rendered much less sensitive.
Dynamite Stories|Hudson Maxim

Scientific definitions for nitroglycerin

nitroglycerin

[ nī′trō-glĭs′ər-ĭn ]

A thick, pale-yellow, explosive liquid formed by treating glycerin with nitric and sulfuric acids. It is used to make dynamite and in medicine to dilate blood vessels. Chemical formula: C3H5N3O9.

nitroglycerin

Origin of nitroglycerin

Words nearby nitroglycerin

Words related to nitroglycerin

How to use nitroglycerin in a sentence

Scientific definitions for nitroglycerin