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Molotov cocktail

noun

a crude incendiary grenade consisting of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before throwing: used originally for setting fire to enemy tanks during the Spanish Civil War.

Molotov cocktail

/ ˈ��ɒ��əˌ��ɒ�� /

noun

an elementary incendiary weapon, usually a bottle of petrol with a short-delay fuse or wick; petrol bomb

Molotov cocktail

An incendiary bomb made from a breakable container, such as a bottle, filled with flammable liquid and provided with a rag wick. Used by the Soviets against the invading German armies in World War II, these bombs were nicknamed after V. M. Molotov, a foreign minister of the Soviet Union at that time.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

First recorded in 1935–40; named after V. M. Molotov

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

C20: named after V. M. _Molotov

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There would have been people dismayed that protesters failed to prevent property damage, and people who were rooting for Molotov cocktails to fly.

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Alleged crimes include hurling a Molotov cocktail at sheriff’s deputies and throwing cinder blocks at federal law enforcement; others, however, are facing prison time for seemingly more minor skirmishes.

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A man who tried to murder a police officer while armed with Molotov cocktails has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years.

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That includes a man charged Wednesday with the attempted murder of a police officer for throwing a Molotov cocktail.

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People were arrested for an array of alleged crimes including failure to disperse, throwing a Molotov cocktail at an officer, driving a motorcycle into a line of officers, destruction of property and looting.

From

Molotov molt

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