nitroglycerin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a dense, oily, highly explosive liquid made by nitrating glycerol and used in explosives such as dynamite

   The blasting crew handled the nitroglycerin under tightly controlled conditions.

2. 2
   noun

   the same compound used in small medicinal doses to widen blood vessels and relieve angina

   The doctor prescribed nitroglycerin tablets for sudden attacks of chest pain.

Formed from nitro- + glycerin. Nitroglycerin was first prepared in 1847 by nitrating glycerol; its systematic chemical name is glyceryl trinitrate.

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External links

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