a white crystalline insoluble explosive prepared by the action of nitric acid on hexamethylenetetramine; cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine: used in bombs and shells. Formula: C3H6N6O6
Word origin
C20: from cyclo- + (trimethylene-tri)nit(ramin)e
cyclonite in American English
(ˈsaɪkloʊˌnaɪt; ˈsaɪkləˌnaɪt)
noun
an insoluble, crystalline compound, C3H6N6O6, used as a powerful explosive or rat poison
Word origin
contr. < cyclo(-trimethylene-tri)nit(ramin)e: intended to suggest cyclone & -ite1