noun
fulminate
An explosive salt of fulminic acid.
The chemist identifies the explosive compound as a fulminate.
Etymology
Latin fulminare means to strike with lightning. The chemical name invokes the sudden explosive action characteristic of these salts.
More examples
- Mercury fulminate was once common in percussion caps.
- Many fulminates are highly sensitive to shock.
- The report lists silver fulminate among the compounds detected.
Forms
fulminate · fulminates
fulminic acid noun — An acid whose salts are fulminates.