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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

car·tridge       (kär'trĭj)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A cylindrical, usually metal casing containing the primer and charge of ammunition for firearms. Such a casing fitted with a bullet. A similar piece of ammunition, such as a shotgun shell. A case containing magnetic tape in a reel; a cassette. A case containing a ribbon in a spool, for use in printers and electric typewriters. A case filled with high explosives, used in blasting. A small modular unit designed to be inserted into a larger piece of equipment: an ink cartridge; a disposable cartridge of caulking compound. A removable case containing the stylus and electric conversion circuitry in a phonograph pickup. A case containing magnetic tape in a reel; a cassette. A case containing a ribbon in a spool, for use in printers and electric typewriters. A lightproof case with photographic film that can be loaded directly into a camera. [Alteration of earlier cartage, alteration of French cartouche, from Italian cartuccio, variant of cartoccio, roll of paper; see cartouche.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cartridge 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

cartridge
noun
1.	ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun
2.	a light-tight supply chamber holding the film and supplying it for exposure as required [syn: magazine]
3.	a module designed to be inserted into a larger piece of equipment; "he loaded a cartridge of fresh tape into the tape deck"
4.	an electro-acoustic transducer that is the part of the arm of a record player that holds the needle and that is removable

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cartridge

Car"tridge\ (k[aum]r"tr[i^]j), n. [Formerly cartrage, corrupted fr. F. cartouche. See Cartouch.] (Mil.) A complete charge for a firearm, contained in, or held together by, a case, capsule, or shell of metal, pasteboard, or other material.

Ball cartridge, a cartridge containing a projectile.

Blank cartridge, a cartridge without a projectile.

Center-fire cartridge, a cartridge in which the fulminate occupies an axial position usually in the center of the base of the capsule, instead of being contained in its rim. In the Prussian needle gun the fulminate is applied to the middle of the base of the bullet.

Rim-fire cartridge, a cartridge in which the fulminate is contained in a rim surrounding its base.

Cartridge bag, a bag of woolen cloth, to hold a charge for a cannon.

Cartridge belt, a belt having pockets for cartridges.

Cartridge box, a case, usually of leather, attached to a belt or strap, for holding cartridges.

Cartridge paper. (a) A thick stout paper for inclosing cartridges. (b) A rough tinted paper used for covering walls, and also for making drawings upon.