Word
grenade
US/ɡɹəˈneɪd/
UK/ɡɹənˈeɪd/
Definitions
01explosive device
n. a small bomb that is designed to be thrown by hand or fired from a special gun.
n. a small explosive, incendiary, or gas-filled projectile designed to be thrown by hand or launched from a rifle.
“The soldiers practiced throwing a dummy grenade during their training exercise.”
“The infantry unit deployed smoke grenades to provide visual cover while they retreated across the open field.”
03engine failure
v. when an engine breaks apart suddenly and violently.
v. to suffer a catastrophic mechanical failure in which internal components break apart and exit the engine casing.
“The race car's engine grenaded on the final lap of the competition.”
“The mechanic explained that the turbocharger had over-boosted, causing the entire engine block to grenade under the extreme pressure.”
Slang · Technical
Usage
Usually used in the intransitive sense when describing mechanical parts.
Etymology
Borrowed from French grenade, from Old French grenate in the phrase pomme grenate (“pomegranate”), ultimately from Medieval Latin pomum (“apple”) + granatum (“having grains”). The -d developed in French under influence of Spanish granada. Doublet of garnet.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
fall on a grenade — To sacrifice oneself for the sake of others.