nitro
(ˈnaɪtrəʊ)
1. Abbrev. of nitro-powder: see nitro- d.
| 1903 Blackw. Mag. Oct. 512/1 In most of the better brands of nitros, what used to be a positive danger has been reduced to a very occasional discomfort. |
2. Abbrev. of nitroglycerine. slang.
| 1935 N. Ersine Underworld & Prison Slang 54 Nitro, nitroglycerine. 1950 R. Chandler Let. 18 May in R. Chandler Speaking (1966) 80 Opening a good safe (without a time lock) requires expensive and heavy tools, the finest drills either to drill out the lock or to get in the nitro if he is a peterman. 1972 J. Godey Three Worlds (1973) iii. 30 They had an old-time safe... I hit it with a fat charge of nitro. |