calcium carbide

American  

noun

1. a grayish-black, lumpy, crystalline powder, CaC 2 , usually derived from coke or anthracite by reaction with limestone or quicklime: used chiefly for the generation of acetylene, which it yields upon decomposing in water.

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calcium carbide British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: carbide.  a grey salt of calcium used in the production of acetylene (by its reaction with water) and calcium cyanamide. Formula: CaC 2

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Etymology

Origin of calcium carbide

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The "carbide gun", a rudimentary device, using calcium carbide in a plastic pipe, gives dramatic results - a loud blast that sounds like a gunshot, accompanied by fiery sparks.

From BBC

The Indian Coast Guard said that the ship was carrying 13 containers of hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide - a chemical that reacts with seawater to release a flammable gas.

From BBC

The freight train was carrying calcium carbide, a caustic, flammable chemical compound used in steel manufacturing, among other things.

From New York Times

The statement says the company, which manufactures calcium carbide, is cooperating with authorities to determine how the accident happened.

From Seattle Times

The warehouse had, among other things, been storing 800 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 500 tonnes of potassium nitrate, as well as 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide and large quantities of calcium carbide.

From Scientific American