I. ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary dynam- (from Greek dynamis power) + -ite (I)
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
II. transitive verb
( -mit·ed ; -mit·ing )
Date: 1881
1. : to blow up with dynamite
2. : to cause the failure or destruction of
• dy·na·mit·er noun
III. adjective
Date: 1922
: terrific , wonderful
a dynamite performance