▪ I. tonite, n.
(ˈtəʊnaɪt)
[f. L. ton-āre to thunder + -ite1.]
A high explosive composed of pulverized gun-cotton impregnated with barium nitrate; cotton powder. Also attrib.
| 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Tonite, a nitrated gun-cotton, used in blasting. 1883 V. D. Majendie in Standard 19 Apr. 5/6 Explosives (such as dynamite, blasting gelatine,..tonite, potentite). 1893 Star 28 Aug. 2/4 A tonite cartridge with a lighted fuse was thrown into the garden of a farmhouse at Euxton... An explosion occurred which almost wrecked the front of the house. |
▪ II. tonite, adv.
(təˈnaɪt)
Simplified spelling of tonight adv., after nite n.2, used chiefly in advertisements.
| 1968 R. Clapperton No News on Monday iv. 35 Another placard announced..‘Tonite, for one nite only, the fabulous Lisa Mundt.’ 1971 Black World Mar. 55/1 They wud be up all nite tonite if they didn't wake up soon. 1976 Leicester Mercury 16 July (Advt.), Riverside disco. Tonite. All welcome. |