Rupert's drop

English

an example of Prince Rupert's drops.

Etymology

Named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, nephew of Charles I, who brought them to England in 1660.

Noun

Rupert's drop (plural Rupert's drops)

1. A glass bead created by dripping molten glass into cold water so it solidifies into a tadpole shape with a very tough head but a long fragile tail which, if damaged, causes the bead to disintegrate explosively.

   Synonyms: Dutch tear, glass tear, Prince Rupert's drop, Prince Rupert's tear, Prince Rupert's tear, Rupert's tear

Further reading

• “Rupert's drop”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.