thermite

[ thur-mahyt ]

noun

1. a mixture of finely-divided metallic aluminum and ferric oxide that when ignited produces extremely high temperatures as the result of the union of the aluminum with the oxygen of the oxide: used in welding, incendiary bombs, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermite¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; therm- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The Thermite RS3 can be outfitted with a tilting ventilator to maximize water flows.

From Popular-Science

Sawdust-packed thermite grenades were stacked right up to the perforated pipes of the sprinkler system.

From Project Gutenberg

She fired a charge of thermite in my head, and it seared its way down my arm to my fingers.

From Project Gutenberg

A mixture of aluminium with various metallic oxides, ready prepared for such purposes, is sold under the name of thermite.

From Project Gutenberg

The thermite was piled generously in a ridge all the way around.

From Project Gutenberg

He leveled his pistol at the thermite ridge where it was nearest to him.

From Project Gutenberg