hypergolic

adjective

hy·​per·​gol·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈgä-lik 

1

: igniting upon contact of components without external aid (such as a spark)

2

: of, relating to, or using hypergolic fuel

hypergolically

ˌhī-pər-ˈgä-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of hypergolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, holding both a large amount of methane or hypergolic chemical internally is explosively problematic. —Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2014

Lasting about 2 minutes and 40 seconds, the video shows instances where Pythom employees appear to be handling the Eiger rocket and its hypergolic propellants with less than industry-standard care. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 15 Apr. 2022

Jiuquan currently only handles launches of older hypergolic Long March rockets and solid rockets, necessitating a new complex. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2022

Unlike its predecessor, the Titan II used hypergolic propellant, with fuel and oxidizer stored in the missile—at room temperature—and mixed to launch almost instantaneously. —Vince Guerrieri, Popular Mechanics, 18 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

German Hypergol a hypergolic fuel, probably from hyper- + erg- + -ol (hydrocarbon)

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1