nitroglycerin

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat)

From nitro- + glycerin.

The more closely volcanoes, Western rivers, nitroglycerin, and boys are pent, the deadlier is their action at the point of outbreak. — Penrod, Booth Tarkington
If a body desires to talk private business with one of the editors, he must call him outside, for no hint milder than blasting-powder or nitroglycerin would be likely to move the bores out of listening-distance. — Sketches New and Old, Mark Twain
Could you send for some nitroglycerin?” By the time Mrs. Ivy was revived, Connie and Hattie had joined the group in the hall, and the latter was reading aloud in awe-struck tones the account of the People's Bank failure. — A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill, Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice

nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin, glyceryl trinitrate, Nitrospan, Nitrostat

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