TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

WILLIE PETE [1 record]

Record 1 2023-12-06

English

Subject field(s)
  • Chemistry
  • Explosives and Pyrotechnical Materials (Industries)
  • CBRNE Weapons
CONT

White phosphorus (WP) is a flare- and smoke-producing incendiary weapon, or smoke-screening agent, made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus. White phosphorus bombs and shells are incendiary devices, but can also be used as an offensive anti-personnel flame compound capable of causing serious burns or death. The agent is used in bombs, artillery shells, and mortar shells which burst into burning flakes of phosphorus upon impact. White phosphorus is commonly referred to in military jargon as "WP". The Vietnam-era slang "Willy(ie) Pete" or "Willy(ie) Peter" is still occasionally heard.

Key term(s)
  • white phosphorous

French

Domaine(s)
  • Chimie
  • Explosifs et artifices (Industries)
  • Armes CBRNE
CONT

Le phosphore blanc (surnommé «Willie Pete» ou «Willie Peter», provenant des initiales WP pour «white phosphorus» en anglais) était redouté pour ses effets dévastateurs.

OBS

phosphore blanc; WP : désignation et abréviation uniformisées par le Comité de terminologie française du Conseil de doctrine et de tactique de l'Armée de terre et par le Groupe de travail de terminologie des munitions.

Spanish

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