Dictionary Definition
skyrocket
Noun
1 propels bright light high in the sky, or used
to propel a lifesaving line or harpoon [syn: rocket]
2 sends a firework display high into the sky
[syn: rocket] v : shoot
up abruptly, like a rocket; "prices skyrocketed" [syn: rocket]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Verb
Extensive Definition
A skyrocket is a type of firework that uses a solid rocket
motor to rise quickly into the sky. At the apex of its ascent, it
is usual for a variety of effects (stars, bangs, crackles, etc.) to
be emitted. Sky rockets use various stabilisation techniques to
ensure the flight follows a predictable course, often a long stick
attached to the side of the motor, but also including
spin-stabilisation or fins. In the United
Kingdom firework rockets are sold by weight, e.g.: 4 oz, 8 oz,
1 lb. This is not the weight of the rocket itself, but rather of a
lead sphere whose diameter matches that of the rocket motor,
officially defined as "The weight of a lead sphere that is just
supported by a tube that the rocket motor will just fit
into."
Gallery
External links
- http://www.cyber-heritage.co.uk/gallery3/ - examples of skyrockets, with data such as thrust, size, total mass, propellant (often black powder) and its mass, and burn time
- Picture of a street lamp hit by a skyrocket
- A pyrowiki on pyrotechics - more information on sky rockets.
skyrocket in German: Feuerwerksrakete
skyrocket in Spanish: Cohete (pirotecnia)
skyrocket in Dutch: Vuurpijl
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
advance, ameliorate, amend, bob up, break water,
climb, come along, come
on, develop, float up,
fly up, fountain,
gain, gain ground, get
ahead, get along, go ahead, go forward, graduate, grow better, gush, improve, jet, jump up, leap up, look up, make
headway, make progress, make strides, meliorate, mend, perk up, pick up, pop up,
progress, rocket, shape up, shoot up, show
improvement, soar, spring
up, spurt, start up,
surface, take off,
upleap, upshoot, upspear, upspring, upstart, vault up, vise