nitrocellulose
/ˌnaɪtroʊˈsɛljəloʊs/
noun
- A highly flammable substance made by treating cellulose (from wood or cotton) with nitric acid, used to make explosives, lacquers, and early photographic film.
- The factory produced nitrocellulose for use in paints and varnishes.
- Old nitrocellulose film reels must be stored carefully to prevent fires.
- Nitrocellulose was once commonly used to make movie film, but it was very flammable.