Brisance

/brɪˈzɑns/ noun

Definition

The shattering or violent smashing force of an explosion.

Etymology

From French 'brisance,' derived from 'briser' (to break), from Latin 'brisare' or related to 'brisium'; used since the early 20th century in explosives terminology.

Kelly Says

Military engineers needed a precise word for how explosively violent a blast was—'brisance' let them distinguish between explosives that just pushed versus those that shattered everything, crucial for bomb design!

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