Main Entry: ¹dy·na·mite

Pronunciation: \ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary dynam- (from Greek dynamis power) + ¹-ite

Date: 1867

1 : an explosive that is made of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material and that often contains ammonium nitrate or cellulose nitrate; also : an explosive (as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose) that contains no nitroglycerin
2 : one that has a powerful effect <an actress who's dynamite at the box office>; also : something that has great potential to cause trouble or conflict <an issue regarded as political dynamite>

— dy·na·mit·ic \ˌdī-nə-ˈmi-tik\ adjective