Amorces

Amorces is the plural of amorce, a French noun with several related but distinct meanings that appear across different fields. In explosives and pyrotechnics, an amorce is the initiating device that triggers the main charge. It can be a percussion cap or an electric detonator, and its function is to provide a reliable initiation of the explosive.

In fishing, an amorce refers to a prepared attractant or bait used to lure fish to the hook. Such amorces may be sold as ready-made mixtures or produced by the angler from groundbait, dough, pellets, or other attractants to improve catch rates.

In broader, figurative use, amorce denotes a starting point or trigger that begins a process or sequence. The term can be used in linguistics or rhetoric to describe an opening phrase or hook that leads into the main argument or discussion.

Etymology and usage notes: amorce derives from the French word for bait or starter, with the plural form amorces. The concept exists primarily in French-language contexts; in English, the corresponding ideas are typically described with terms such as primer, detonator, bait, or hook, depending on the domain.

See also: amorçage, amorcer, detonator, primer, bait.