Cordite (noun)

A smokeless explosive powder consisting of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and mineral jelly, used in firearms and artillery.

Origin:

Late 19th century: from cord + -ite.

Examples:

1. The rifle used cordite as a propellant.
2. Cordite was widely used as a propellant in the early 20th century.
3. The cordite powder was packed into cartridges that were loaded into the gun.
4. The cordite explosion propelled the bullet out of the barrel.
5. Cordite was phased out as a propellant in the 1950s due to its instability and tendency to deteriorate over time.