How Do You Spell HANDGRENADES?

Pronunciation: [hˈandɡɹɪnˌe͡ɪdz] (IPA)

The word "handgrenades" is spelled with two syllables: /hænd/ and /ɡrəˌneɪd/. The first syllable, "hand," is spelled as it sounds in English, with the H pronounced and the A sounding as the short A sound. The second syllable, "grenades," is spelled with a silent E after the G, and the A and the E pronounced as a long A sound and a schwa sound, respectively. In summary, the spelling of "handgrenades" follows the usual English rules for syllables and sounds.

HANDGRENADES Meaning and Definition

1. Hand grenades are explosive devices that are handheld and designed to be thrown at or near an intended target. They are commonly used in military operations and combat scenarios due to their ability to deliver a powerful explosion and cause damage to enemy forces or structures. Hand grenades can also be used in certain law enforcement operations or for self-defense purposes.

   These devices typically consist of a metal or plastic casing filled with explosives, along with a fuse or detonator mechanism that is activated upon release. The explosion is typically triggered by the user pulling a pin, releasing a lever, or otherwise activating the detonator.

   Hand grenades are designed to release shrapnel, fragments, and high-velocity debris upon detonation, which can cause injury or death to individuals within its blast radius. Their primary purpose is to incapacitate or eliminate enemy forces or to clear out hardened locations, such as enemy bunkers or defensive positions.

   While the use of hand grenades is primarily associated with military operations, they are strictly regulated or prohibited for civilian use in many countries due to the potential for misuse, accidents, or unintended harm. Control and possession of these devices are usually restricted to military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and special permit holders, ensuring their use is confined to official and authorized circumstances.

Etymology of HANDGRENADES

The word "handgrenade" is derived from two separate terms: "hand" and "grenade".

The term "hand" comes from the Old English word "hand" or "hond", which is similar in many Germanic languages. It refers to the part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects.

The term "grenade" originates from the French word "grenade", which means "pomegranate". This is because the early hand grenades resembled the shape and size of a pomegranate. The French word "grenade" itself comes from the Old French word "pome-grenate", where "pome" means apple and "grenate" means seeded. The pomegranate fruit, with its numerous seeds, resembled the fragmentation effect of early hand grenades.