grenade

[gri-neyd] /grɪˈneɪd/
noun
1.
a small shell containing an explosive and thrown by hand or fired from a rifle or launching device.
2.
a similar missile containing a chemical, as for dispersing tear gas or fire-extinguishing substances.
verb (used with object), grenaded, grenading.
3.
to attack with a grenade or grenades.
Origin
1525-35; < French < Spanish granada pomegranate, special use of granado having grains < Latin grānātus. See grain, -ate1
Examples from the web for grenade
  • He was trying to fire a rocket-propelled grenade from a shoulder mount, but it kept slipping off his shoulder.
  • One of the kids on our street lost both hands, up to his elbows, dismantling a grenade.
  • When the grenade went off, it blinded the family dog.
  • The first rocket-propelled grenade blew the right rear door off.
  • Disputes in a school playground have ended with a parent throwing a grenade or firing a warning shot.
  • One policeman is reported to have been lightly wounded by a hand grenade.
  • The pirates were said to be armed with guns and rocket-grenade launchers, and some escaped on speed boats.
  • Once, they could scare them off with a shout and a rocket-propelled grenade-launcher.
  • In practice, that often means using a rocket-propelled grenade, so as not to expose troops to snipers.
  • At the time the world was told that the helicopter was taken down by a well-aimed rocket-propelled grenade.
British Dictionary definitions for grenade

grenade

/ɡrɪˈneɪd/
noun
1.
a small container filled with explosive thrown by hand or fired from a rifle
2.
a sealed glass vessel that is thrown and shatters to release chemicals, such as tear gas or a fire extinguishing agent
Word Origin
C16: from French, from Spanish granada pomegranate, from Late Latin grānāta, from Latin grānātus seedy; see grain
Word Origin and History for grenade
n.

"small explosive shell," 1590s, earlier "pomegranate" (1520s), from Middle French grenade "pomegranate" (16c.), earlier grenate (12c.), from Old French pomegrenate (influenced by Spanish granada); so called because the many-seeded fruit suggested the powder-filled, fragmenting bomb, or from similarities of shape. See pomegranate.