mercury fulminate
noun
Definition of mercury fulminate
: a crystalline compound Hg(ONC)2 that when dry explodes violently on percussion or heating, that is usually made by reaction of mercury, alcohol, and nitric acid, and that is used in blasting caps, percussion caps, and detonators —called also fulminating mercury
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up mercury fulminate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!