Definition

A type of material made from cellulose that has been chemically treated with acids, commonly used to create explosives, plastics, and other products.

Example

Nitrocellulose is often used in the production of smokeless gunpowder.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of nitrocellulose?

Yeah, I think it's used in making some types of explosives, right?

Exactly! It's also used in plastics and varnishes.

That's interesting; I didn't know it had so many applications.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nitrocellulose is formed from "nitro-" (from Latin "nitrum", meaning saltpeter or nitrate) and "cellulose" (from Latin "cellula", meaning small cell, and "-ose", a suffix used in chemistry to denote carbohydrates). The word refers to a compound made from cellulose that has been chemically modified by the introduction of nitrate groups, making it explosive.

Memory Tip

Think of 'nitro' as relating to nitrate, which is a key component in explosives, and 'cellulose' as the plant material that has been transformed. This helps you remember that nitrocellulose is a modified form of cellulose that is used in explosives.

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