detonator

det-o-na-tor · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A device or small amount of explosive used to initiate detonation in an explosive.

  2. 2.

    Something that triggers an explosion or a significant event.

Related words

See also: detonate, explosive, fuse
Synonyms: blasting cap, fuse, trigger

Etymology

From detonate + -or (agent suffix). From Latin detonare meaning "to thunder down." First recorded in the mid-19th century.