Definitions for: Gunpowder


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



Webster (1913) Definition: Gun"pow`der, n. (Chem.)
A black, granular, explosive substance, consisting of an
intimate mechanical mixture of niter, charcoal, and sulphur.
It is used in gunnery and blasting.

Note: Gunpowder consists of from 70 to 80 per cent of niter,
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.

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.

Synonyms: powder

See Also: explosive

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