"Powderkeg" redirects here. For the supervillain, see
Powderkeg (character). For other uses, see Powder Keg.
Rifle large grain gunpowder barrel at Fort George's Citadel Hill
A powder keg is a barrel of
deflagrate
.
In practical use, powder kegs were small
casks to limit damage from accidental explosions. Today they are valued as collectibles. Specimens of early American kegs for gunpowder are found in sizes like 8+3⁄4 inches (22 cm) tall by 6+1⁄2 inches (17 cm) diameter and 13 inches (33 cm) tall by 11 inches (28 cm) diameter, often with strappings of reed or sapling wood rather than metal bands to avoid sparks.[1] Kegs for blasting powder
used for mining or quarrying were often larger than kegs for shipping and storing powder for firearms.
Metaphor
A powder keg is also a
metaphorical term for a region that political, socioeconomic, historical or other circumstances have made prone to outbursts. The analogy is drawn from a perception that certain territories may seem peaceful and dormant until another event triggers a large outburst of violence.[2] The term is most often used to simplify and help the understanding of what is often a complex set of circumstances that lead to conflicts, such as the powder keg of Europe.[3]
While the term can be used to designate the entire region of
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