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Gunpowder

 - 3 dictionary results

gun⋅pow⋅der

[guhn-pou-der]
–noun
1. an explosive mixture, as of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal, used in shells and cartridges, in fireworks, for blasting, etc.
2. Also called gunpowder tea. a fine variety of green China tea, each leaf of which is rolled into a little ball.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME; see gun 1 , powder 1


gun⋅pow⋅der⋅y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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gun·pow·der   (gŭn'pou'dər)   
n.  Any of various explosive powders used to propel projectiles from guns, especially a black mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gunpowder 
1411, from gun + powder. The Gunpowder Plot was the conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament on Nov. 5, 1605, while the King, Lords and Commons were assembled there.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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