gunpowder

4 definitions found

gunpowder - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Gunpowder \Gun"pow`der\ (g[u^]n"pou`d[~e]r), n. (Chem.)
     A black, granular, explosive substance, consisting of an
     intimate mechanical mixture of saltpeter, charcoal, and
     sulphur. It is used in gunnery and blasting.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Gunpowder consists of from 70 to 80 per cent of
           potassium nitraate (niter, saltpeter), with 10 to 15
           per cent of each of the other ingredients. Its
           explosive energy is due to the fact that it contains
           the necessary amount of oxygen for its own combustion,
           and liberates gases (chiefly nitrogen and carbon
           dioxide), which occupy a thousand or fifteen hundred
           times more space than the powder which generated them.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Gunpowder pile driver, a pile driver, the hammer of which
        is thrown up by the explosion of gunpowder.
  
     Gunpowder plot (Eng. Hist.), a plot to destroy the King,
        Lords, and Commons, in revenge for the penal laws against
        Catholics. As Guy Fawkes, the agent of the conspirators,
        was about to fire the mine, which was placed under the
        House of Lords, he was seized, Nov. 5, 1605. Hence, Nov. 5
        is known in England as
  
     Guy Fawkes Day.
  
     Gunpowder tea, a species of fine green tea, each leaf of
        which is rolled into a small ball or pellet.
        [1913 Webster]

  Explosive \Ex*plo"sive\, n.
     1. An explosive agent; a compound or mixture susceptible of a
        rapid chemical reaction, as gunpowder, TNT,
        dynamite, or nitro-glycerine.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     2. A sound produced by an explosive impulse of the breath;
        (Phonetics) one of consonants p, b, t, d, k, g, which are
        sounded with a sort of explosive power of voice.
  
     Note: [See Guide to Pronunciation, [root] 155-7, 184.]
           [1913 Webster]

gunpowder - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  gunpowder
      n 1: a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a
           75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and
           fireworks [syn: gunpowder, powder]

gunpowder - U.S. Gazetteer (1990) :

  Gunpowder, MD
    Zip code(s): 21010