from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cordite \Cord"ite\ (k[^o]rd"[imac]t), n. [From {Cord}, n.]
(Mil.)
A smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and
mineral jelly, and used by the British army and in other
services. In making it the ingredients are mixed into a paste
with the addition of acetone and pressed out into cords (of
various diameters) resembling brown twine, which are dried
and cut to length. A variety containing less nitroglycerin
than the original is known as {cordite M. D.}
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]