| 释义 |
gun-cotton|ˈgʌnˌkɒt(ə)n|
A highly explosive compound discovered in 1846 by Schönbein, and prepared by steeping cotton in nitric and sulphuric acids, formerly much used for blasting, but now almost superseded by dynamite.
Chemically, gun-cotton is one of a series of nitrates of cellulose differing in composition and properties according to the strength of acid used and the period of digestion. From other members of the series are obtained the products celluloid and collodion. See also pyroxylin.
1846Mech. Mag. 3 Oct. 330 The last and most curious experiment was the explosion of a piece of the gun cotton when placed upon loose gunpowder. 1846P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 269 (31 Oct.) Went to see Mr. Charles Lancaster, after his miraculous escape in firing the new gun cotton. 1846Ann. Reg. 203 The interest of scientific men and of the public has been strongly excited by the discovery by Professor Schönbein of an explosive compound..called Gun Cotton. 1847Faraday in B. Jones Life (1870) 237, I do not talk about gun-cotton, because I think you will let me know when anything philosophical or important turns up respecting it. 1875Darwin Insectiv. Pl. vi. 125 Gun Cotton which consists of cellulose with the hydrogen replaced by nitrogen. 1894Times 31 Jan. 3/2 [Dr. Odling said] ‘Guncotton’ was most commonly used to express the least soluble form, and there was a broad distinction between collodion cotton and guncotton.
attrib.1876Daily News 30 Nov. 3/5 The short, sudden crack of a gun-cotton detonation. |