• (n.) A high explosive similar to lyddite, consisting principally of picric acid, used in the French military service.
Mé'lin·ite noun [ French] (Chemistry) A high explosive similar to lyddite, consisting principally of picric acid, used in the French military service. 
Melinite is a high explosive similar to lyddite, prepared from picric acid and the solid residue from the evaporation of collodion. Melinite was formerly used in the French army as a bursting-charge for shells around 1900.