Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

detonator

 - 3 dictionary results

det⋅o⋅na⋅tor

  [det-n-ey-ter]
Use detonator in a Sentence
–noun
1. a device, as a percussion cap, used to make another substance explode.
2. something that explodes.
Origin:
1815–25; detonate + -or 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To detonator
det·o·na·tor   (dět'n-ā'tər)   
n.  

  1. A device, such as a fuse or percussion cap, used to set off an explosive charge.

  2. An explosive.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

detonator

device that initiates the detonation of a charge of a high explosive by subjecting it to percussion by a shock wave. In strict usage, the term detonator refers to an easily ignited low explosive that produces the shock wave, and the term primer, or priming composition, denotes a substance that produces a sudden burst of flame to ignite the detonator. The primer may be set off by the brief application of heat (from a burning fuse or an electrically heated wire), by friction, or by mechanical shock (like the impact of the firing pin of a gun)

Learn more about detonator with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see detonator on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way