1. Plural of gelignite; sticks or blocks of a putty-like explosive made from nitroglycerin and cellulose, used in mining and construction.
Usage: chiefly British; technical/industrial

Examples

• The mining company used gelignites to blast through the rock face.
• Gelignites were carefully stored in the explosives magazine on site.
• The construction crew ordered several boxes of gelignites for the demolition project.
• Safety protocols required that gelignites be handled only by trained personnel.
• During the 20th century, gelignites became a standard tool in quarrying operations.