Amatol

/ˈæm.ə.tɔːl/ noun

Definition

An explosive compound made from a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT (trinitrotoluene), used in military and commercial applications.

Etymology

A blend word combining 'ammonium nitrate' and 'toluene' (TNT), created as a scientific/industrial term in the early 20th century, particularly during and after World War I.

Kelly Says

Amatol was developed partly because pure TNT became scarce during WWI, so chemists mixed it with ammonium nitrate to stretch supplies—a sinister example of wartime problem-solving creating whole new weapon categories.

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