Bellite

/ˈbɛlaɪt/ noun

Definition

An explosive compound or mineral, historically used as a military explosive.

Etymology

From 'bell' (likely a manufacturer's name or location) plus the mineral/chemical suffix '-ite'. Various explosives have been named this way, often after their discoverers or manufacturing sites.

Kelly Says

Bellite is one of dozens of explosives with '-ite' endings (dynamite, TNT derivatives)—chemists and weapons manufacturers created a whole vocabulary of destruction, each name marking a step in the grim history of warfare technology.

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