| Share
 
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—P

Prince Rupert's Drops

Drops of molten glass, consolidated by falling into water. Their form is that of a tadpole. The thick end may be hammered pretty smartly without its breaking, but if the smallest portion of the thin end is nipped off, the whole flies into fine dust with explosive violence. These toys, if not invented by Prince Rupert, were introduced by him into England.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Prince's Peers
Prince of Wales
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Prince Rupert's Drops from Infoplease:

  • Prince Rupert's Drops - Prince Rupert's Drops Drops of molten glass, consolidated by falling into water. Their form is ...
  • Rupert's Balls - Rupert's Balls or Prince Rupert's Drops. Glass bubbles first brought to England by Prince ...
  • Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: P - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "P"

Related Content

24 X 7

Private Tutor

Click Here for Details
24 x 7 Tutor Availability
Unlimited Online Tutoring
1-on-1 Tutoring
Explore Grade 3 Math , Free Algebra Help