Lexic.us

Definition of Gunpowder

1. Noun. A mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks.

Definition of Gunpowder

1. n. A black, granular, explosive substance, consisting of an intimate mechanical mixture of niter, charcoal, and sulphur. It is used in gunnery and blasting.

Definition of Gunpowder

1. Noun. An explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulphur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Gunpowder

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Gunpowder

1. A black, granular, explosive substance, consisting of an intimate mechanical mixture of niter, charcoal, and sulphur. It is used in gunnery and blasting. 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, 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. 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gunpowder

Literary usage of Gunpowder

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Law Reports by James Redfoord Bulwer (1872)
"It was proved that t bo appellants were makers of gunpowder, aud had a store magazine lor thu keeping of gunpowder, in which certain gunpowder was then kept ..."

2. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1874)
"After nn historical review of the investigations and theoretical views, relating to the results produced upon the explosion of gunpowder, which have been ..."

3. The Justice of the Peace, and Parish Officer by Richard Burn (1820)
"Prosecution to be commenced within fourteen days after seizure of the gunpowder, or commission of the offence where there shall not be any seizure. to his ..."

4. Philosophical Magazine (1805)
"It was asserted that the superiority of this gunpowder was attested by the Tuscan hunters. The first notice of this circumstance had engaged my attention a ..."

5. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"gunpowder UPON the great importance of the invention of gunpowder it is ... Besides such indirect services to civilization, gunpowder has been and is of ..."

6. The Great industries of the United States: being an historical summary of by Horace Greeley (1873)
"DU POST'S gunpowder WORKS. IT is generally supposed that the Chinese had some knowledge of gunpowder at a very early period, some say two hundred years or ..."

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