TERMIUM Plus®

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

PETE [4 records]

Record 1 2024-08-19

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

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Química
  • Explosivos y fuegos de artificio (Industrias)
  • Armas QBRNE
CONT

El fósforo blanco se usa para fines militares en granadas y municiones de artillería para alumbrar, generar cortinas de humo o como material incendiario.

Save record 1

Record 2 2011-12-21

English

Subject field(s)
  • Place Names (Canada)
OBS

Watercourse, usually smaller than a river.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Toponymes (Canada)
OBS

Cours d'eau généralement plus petit qu'une rivière.

Spanish

Save record 2

Record 3 2007-01-11

English

Subject field(s)
  • Titles of Federal Government Programs (Canadian)
  • Labour and Employment
Key term(s)
  • Student Temporary Employment Programme

French

Domaine(s)
  • Titres de programmes fédéraux (Gouvernement canadien)
  • Travail et emploi

Spanish

Save record 3

Record 4 1993-10-26

English

Subject field(s)
  • Waste Management
  • Packaging in Plastic
DEF

A recycle code for containers of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) made in the U.S.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Gestion des déchets
  • Emballages en matières plastiques

Spanish

Save record 4

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: