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- Dictionaryexplosive/ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/
adjective
- 1. able or likely to shatter violently or burst apart: "an explosive device" Similar
- 2. likely to cause an outburst of anger or controversy: "Marco's explosive temper" Similar
noun
- 1. a substance which can be made to explode, especially any of those used in bombs or shells: "stocks of explosives"
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Learn the meaning of explosive as an adjective or a noun, with examples of usage and synonyms. Find out how to pronounce explosive and how to use it in different contexts, such as sports, emotions or substances.
- English (US)
EXPLOSIVE meaning: 1. exploding or able to explode easily:...
- Explosive in Arabic
EXPLOSIVE translate: مُتَفَجِّر, مُتفَجِّرات. Learn more in...
- Translate English to Malay
explosive translate: mudah meletup, bahan letupan. Learn...
- Znaczenie Explosive, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary
EXPLOSIVE definicja: 1. exploding or able to explode easily:...
- Shell
SHELL definition: 1. the hard outer covering of something,...
- Dynamite
DYNAMITE definition: 1. a type of explosive: 2. something...
- English (US)
Learn the meaning of explosive as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how to use explosive in a sentence and how it relates to other words.
a substance that decomposes rapidly under certain conditions with the production of gases, which expand by the heat of the reaction. The energy released is used in firearms, blasting, and rocket propulsion. a plosive consonant; stop.
- Overview
- Types of chemical explosives
- History of black powder
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explosive, any substance or device that can be made to produce a volume of rapidly expanding gas in an extremely brief period. There are three fundamental types: mechanical, nuclear, and chemical. A mechanical explosive is one that depends on a physical reaction, such as overloading a container with compressed air. Such a device has some applicatio...
Basically, chemical explosives are of two types: (1) detonating, or high, explosives and (2) deflagrating, or low, explosives. Detonating explosives, such as TNT and dynamite, are characterized by extremely rapid decomposition and development of high pressure, whereas deflagrating explosives, such as black and smokeless powders, involve merely fast burning and produce relatively low pressures. Under certain conditions, such as the use of large quantities and a high degree of confinement, some normally deflagrating explosives can be caused to detonate.
Detonating explosives are usually subdivided into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary explosives detonate by ignition from some source such as flame, spark, impact, or other means that will produce heat of sufficient magnitude. Secondary explosives require a detonator and, in some cases, a supplementary booster. A few explosives can be both primary and secondary depending on the conditions of use.
It may never be known with certainty who invented the first explosive, black powder, which is a mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal (carbon). The consensus is that it originated in China in the 10th century, but that its use there was almost exclusively in fireworks and signals. It is possible that the Chinese also used black powder in bombs for military purposes, and there is written record that in the mid-13th century they put it in bamboo tubes to propel stone projectiles.
There is, however, some evidence that the Arabs invented black powder. By about 1300, certainly, they had developed the first real gun, a bamboo tube reinforced with iron, which used a charge of black powder to fire an arrow.
A strong case can also be made that black powder was discovered by the English medieval scholar Roger Bacon, who wrote explicit instructions for its preparation in 1242, in the strange form of a Latin anagram, difficult to decipher. But Bacon read Arabic, and it is possible that he got his knowledge from Arabic sources.
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Some scholars attribute the invention of firearms to an early 14th-century German monk named Berthold Schwarz. In any case they are frequently mentioned in 14th-century manuscripts from many countries, and there is a record of the shipment of guns and powder from Ghent to England in 1314.
An explosive is a substance or device that produces a rapid expansion of gas. Learn about the history, types, and applications of explosives, such as black powder, TNT, and dynamite.
Learn the meaning of explosive as a noun and an adjective, with synonyms and examples. Find out how to use explosive in different contexts, such as chemistry, phonetics, and politics.
Explosive is a substance or mixture that can release energy and gases rapidly, or a situation that is unstable or dangerous. Learn more about the different types, uses, and meanings of explosive from various sources and dictionaries.
An explosive is a substance that can be made to explode by being hit or lit on fire. You might use an explosive to create a tunnel through a mountain — but you probably shouldn't use one to clear weeds from your yard.
