gelignite

Etymology

noun

1. An explosive mixture of nitroglycerine and nitrate absorbed onto a base of wood pulp.
   Three small gelignite bombs, with pocket watch timing devices, were concealed in packets small enough to fit through the slot of the standard cast-iron post box, the cylindrical bright red colored boxes so common throughout London. 2008, Steven P. Moysey, The Road to Balcombe Street: The IRA Reign of Terror in London, Binghamton, N.Y.: Haworth Press, page 58