different between dynamite vs gunpowder

English

Etymology

Coined by Nobel, the inventor. Ultimately from Ancient Greek ??????? (dúnamis, “power”) +? -ite, possibly under the influence of dynamo or dynamic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?da?n?ma?t/

Noun

dynamite (usually uncountable, plural dynamites)

1. A class of explosives made from nitroglycerine in an absorbent medium such as kieselguhr, used in mining and blasting; invented by Alfred Nobel in 1867.
2. (informal, proscribed) A stick of trinitrotoluene (TNT)
3. (figuratively, slang, uncountable) Anything exceptionally dangerous, exciting or wonderful.
   • 2016, Kit Moulton, Annabella (page 108)

     That girl was dynamite. Dark hair with killer blue eyes, bronze skin, and an exquisite full-figured body.

     He warned us: "That issue about what's been happening at that factory, is political dynamite. Keep the lid on it."

Synonyms

• nitro

Translations

Verb

dynamite (third-person singular simple present dynamites, present participle dynamiting, simple past and past participle dynamited)

1. To blow up with dynamite or other high explosive.
2. This term needs a definition. Please help out and add a definition, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

3. This term needs a definition. Please help out and add a definition, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

Translations

See also

• cordite

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /di.na.mit/
• Homophones: dynamitent, dynamites

Verb

dynamite

1. first-person singular present indicative of dynamiter
2. third-person singular present indicative of dynamiter
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of dynamiter
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of dynamiter
5. second-person singular imperative of dynamiter

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???n?pa?d?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /???n?pa?d??/

Etymology 1

gun +? powder

Noun

gunpowder (countable and uncountable, plural gunpowders)

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

Translations

Derived terms

• gunpowder chicken
• gunpowder empire
• gunpowderish
• gunpowderous
• Gunpowder Plot
• gunpowder tea
• Gunpowder Treason
• gunpowdery

See also

• powder burn

Etymology 2

Possibly due to its smell resembling gunpowder during the British Raj.

Noun

gunpowder (uncountable)

1. (India, informal) idli podi/milagai podi; ground-up dry spices mixed with oil and ghee and served alongside idli or dosa.

References