"explosive powder for the discharge of projectiles from guns," early 15c., from gun (n.) + powder (n.). The Gunpowder Plot (or treason or conspiracy) was a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament on Nov. 5, 1605, while the King, Lords and Commons were assembled there in revenge for the laws against Catholics (see guy (n.2)).
权威例句
1. The barrel of gunpowder blew up with a terrible noise.
火药桶爆炸了,发出轰然一声巨响.
2. Gunpowder was used in China as far back as the 11 th century.
远在公元11世纪,中国已使用火药.
3. This statement has a strong smell of gunpowder.
这是一篇充满火药味的声明.
4. Gunpowder, dynamite and gun cotton are explosives.