1. Plural of lyddite; a type of high explosive made from picric acid, used in military shells and bombs, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Usage: historical; military; chiefly British

Examples

• Lyddites were widely used in artillery shells during the Boer War.
• The British military adopted lyddites as a more powerful alternative to earlier explosives.
• Lyddite shells were known for their destructive force and yellow coloration.
• Military engineers tested various lyddites to improve their stability and reliability.