SQUIB

Squib

A squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries, from special effects to military applications. It resembles a tiny stick of dynamite, both in appearance and construction, although with considerably less explosive power. Squibs consist of two electrical leads which are separated by a plug of insulating material, a small bridge wire or electrical resistance heater, and a bead of heat-sensitive chemical composition in which the bridge wire is embedded. Squibs can be used for generating mechanical force, or to provide pyrotechnic effects for both film and live theatrics. Squibs can be used for shattering or propelling a variety of materials.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Squib (explosive)
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squib

Noun

  1. A small firework that is intended to spew sparks rather than explode.
    English Navy squibs set fire to two dozen enemy ships in a Dutch harbor during the 16th century battle against the Spanish Armada.
  2. A similar device used to ignite an explosive or launch a rocket, etc.
  3. A kind of slow match or safety fuse.
  4. Any small firecracker sold to the general public. Usually available in special clusters designed to explode in series after a single master fuze is lit.
  5. The heating element used to set off the sodium azide pellets in a vehicle's airbag.
  6. A small explosive used to replicate a bullet hitting a surface.
  7. A short piece of witty writing; a lampoon.
  8. A writer of lampoons.
  9. In a legal casebook, a short summary of a legal action placed between more extensively quoted cases.
  10. A short article, often published in journals, that introduces empirical data problematic to linguistic theory or discusses an overlooked theoretical problem. In contrast to a typical linguistic article, a squib need not answer the questions that it poses.
  11. An unimportant, paltry, or mean-spirited person.
  12. A sketched concept or visual solution, usually very quick and not too detailed. A word most commonly used within the Graphic Design industry.

Verb

  1. To make a sound such as a small explosion.
    A squibbed in the jungle.
  2. To throw squibs; to utter sarcastic or severe reflections; to contend in petty dispute.
    to squib a little debate


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

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