What does cordite mean?
Cordite is a smokeless propellant explosive developed in Britain in 1889 at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, as a replacement for black gunpowder. It is made from nitrocellulose (guncotton), nitroglycerin, and a small amount of petroleum jelly, blended into a paste that was originally extruded into long cords — hence the name — and then cut into short lengths for loading into cartridges. Because it burned with little smoke, cordite allowed soldiers and warships to fire repeatedly without obscuring their own view or revealing their positions, transforming late nineteenth- and twentieth-century warfare. The word today appears mostly in military history, firearms writing, and fiction set during the World Wars, where 'the smell of cordite' has become an evocative shorthand for battle. Figuratively, it can also suggest tension or fresh conflict, as in descriptions of political rooms still smelling of cordite.
nounA smokeless propellant explosive made from nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and petroleum jelly, used chiefly in firearm and artillery cartridges. It was developed in Britain in the late 19th century as a replacement for gunpowder.
- A smokeless propellant explosive composed of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and petroleum jelly, used in ammunition.
"The soldiers could smell the acrid tang of cordite lingering in the air after the barrage."
"The air inside the bunker was thick with the smell of cordite after hours of continuous firing."
"Historians note that cordite transformed naval warfare by allowing guns to be fired without revealing position through smoke."
Rarely used; when it occurs, it refers to distinct types or formulations of the propellant rather than individual pieces.
"Early manufacturers experimented with several cordites before settling on the standard Mark I formulation."
Cordite got its name because early batches were extruded into long cords — literally 'cord-like' explosive — before being cut into short sticks for cartridges.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cordite
The word cordite was coined in English in the late nineteenth century, shortly after the substance was patented in 1889 by Frederick Abel and James Dewar at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. It derives from the noun 'cord', referring to the cord-like form into which the explosive was first extruded, combined with the suffix '-ite' commonly used for chemical compounds and minerals. Its roots therefore trace back through Old French 'corde' to Latin 'chorda', itself borrowed from Greek 'khorde'. No true cognates share its specific formation, but related words descending from the same Latin root include 'chord'.
How cordite is actually used
Cordite is a technical and historical term, encountered mainly in military history, firearms contexts, and period literature. It carries a distinctly British association, since it was invented at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and widely used by British forces. In figurative use, phrases like 'the smell of cordite' often evoke recent conflict or heated political confrontation.
Easily confused with cordite
Gunpowder is the older black-powder mixture of saltpetre, charcoal, and sulfur that produces thick smoke, whereas cordite is a later smokeless propellant based on nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.