\Ni`tro*glyc"er*in\, n. [Nitro- + glycerinn.]
(Chem.)
A liquid appearing like a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish,
and consisting of a mixture of several glycerin salts of
nitric acid, and hence more properly called {glycerin
nitrate}. It is made by the action of nitric acid on glycerin
in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable
and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in
medicine as a neurotic under the name of {glonion}. [Written
also {nitroglycerine}.]
Note: A great number of explosive compounds have been
      produced by mixing nitroglycerin with different
      substances; as, dynamite, or giant powder,
      nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth;
      lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with
      sawdust and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia
      powder, gunpowder with nitroglycerin; dualin,
      nitroglycerin with sawdust, or with sawdust and nitrate
      of potassium and some other substances; lignose, wood
      fiber and nitroglycerin.