This section is from the book "The Home Cyclopedia Of General Information", by Charles Morris. Also available from Amazon: Home Cyclopedia of Necessary Knowledge.
[Ital., from rock, a distaff] A fire-work sent up through the air and used as a signal. The rocket is projected by the force of expanded gases liberated by the combustion of such ingredients as nitre, charcoal, and sulphur. Congreve rocket, invented by Sir William Congreve, is armed with shells or case-shot, or with a fiery composition.
 
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