noun
1. : any of several esters that are obtained as white fibrous flammable solids by the nitration of cellulose (as cotton linters or wood) usually with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids — called also nitrocellulose
2.
a. : a low-nitrated plastics grade of cellulose nitrate containing less than 12.5 5 nitrogen that is soluble in a variety of organic solvents (as mixtures of ether and alcohol) and is used chiefly in making photographic films, lacquers and other coatings (as for automobiles, furniture, and fabrics simulating leather), tough thermoplastic materials, and adhesives — see pyroxylin
b. : a high-nitrated ballistics grade of cellulose nitrate containing 12.5 to 13.5 percent nitrogen that is insoluble in most organic solvents and is used in explosives — see guncotton , smokeless powder