What does nitroglycerine mean?
Nitroglycerine is a chemically powerful substance with two very different uses. As an industrial explosive, it is a highly sensitive oily liquid that can detonate violently from shock, friction, or heat. Historical attempts to control this hazard led to the development of dynamite, in which nitroglycerine is absorbed into an inert material. In medicine, much smaller doses are used as a vasodilator: the drug relaxes and widens blood vessels, helping to relieve the pain of angina. The British spelling is “nitroglycerine,” whereas American medical literature generally uses “nitroglycerin.” Despite its medical value, nitroglycerine remains dangerous to manufacture or handle improperly, so pharmaceutical preparations are subject to strict controls. The word is therefore both a technical term in explosives engineering and a familiar term in cardiac treatment, while also reminding users that a compound can be valuable in one setting and hazardous in another.
nounA highly sensitive, oily liquid explosive, also used as a vasodilator in medicine for treating angina. Chemically, it is glycerol trinitrate.
- A powerful, highly sensitive liquid explosive.
- A nitrate drug used to relax and widen blood vessels, especially in the treatment of angina.
"The workers carefully transported the nitroglycerine in a shock-resistant container."
"A small quantity of nitroglycerine can detonate violently when struck or heated."
"The doctor prescribed nitroglycerine for the patient's recurring chest pain."
Rare and usually unnecessary; nitroglycerine is normally treated as an uncountable mass noun.
"Historical accounts describe several nitroglycerines being manufactured in the early explosives industry."
Nobel made dynamite safer by soaking nitroglycerine into an inert absorbent material, turning a shock-sensitive liquid into a much more manageable solid explosive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nitroglycerine come from?
“Nitroglycerine” is a compound formed from “nitro-” and “glycerine.” The “nitro-” element refers to the nitrate groups incorporated into glycerine, whose name is associated with Greek glykeros, meaning “sweet,” because glycerine is a sweet-tasting liquid. The compound name developed in the 19th century as chemists and manufacturers developed the manufacture and practical use of this powerful explosive.
How nitroglycerine is actually used
The substance is normally treated as an uncountable mass noun. In medical usage, especially in American English, “nitroglycerin” is the more usual spelling; “nitroglycerine” is standard in British English.
Easily confused with nitroglycerine
Nitroglycerin is the spelling commonly used in American medical contexts, while nitroglycerine is standard in British English and is also used formally for the explosive.
Glycerine is the sweet, non-explosive liquid used in cosmetics, medicines, and food; nitroglycerine is its chemically nitrated derivative.