FIZZLE

Fizzle

In nuclear weapons, a fizzle occurs when the testing of a nuclear bomb grossly fails to meet its expected yield. The reason for the failure can be linked to improper bomb design, poor construction, or lack of expertise. All countries that have had a nuclear weapons testing program have experienced fizzles. A fizzle can spread radioactive material throughout the surrounding area, involve a partial fission reaction of the fissile material, or both. For practical purposes, a fizzle can still have considerable explosive yield when compared to conventional weapons.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Fizzle (nuclear test)
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

fizzle

Noun

  1. A spluttering or hissing sound.
  2. Failure of a nuclear bomb to meet its expected yield during testing.

Verb

  1. To sputter or hiss.
    ''The soda fizzled for several minutes after it was poured.
  2. To decay or die off to nothing; to burn out; to end less successfully than previously hoped.
    The entire project fizzled after the founder retired.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: fizzle
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

Need help with a clue?
Try your search in the crossword dictionary!