Editing Bullet (section)

==Description==
The term ''bullet'' is from Early French, originating as the [[diminutive]] of the word ''boulle'' (''boullet''), which means "small ball".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/merriamwebsterdi00merr |title=Merriam-Webster Dictionary |date=1994 |publisher=Merriam-WebsterIncorporated |isbn=0-87779-911-3 |edition=5th |location=Springfield, Massachusetts |url-access=registration}}</ref> Bullets are available singly (as in [[Muzzleloader|muzzle-loading]] and [[Percussion cap|cap and ball]] firearms)<ref>{{cite web |title=Hornady Lead Round Ball Black Powder Bullets |url=http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Hornady-Lead-Round-Ball-Black-Powder-Bullets/productDetail/Bullets-and-Sabots/prod9999002186/cat100013#gridContainer |access-date=28 January 2017 |website=www.sportsmanswarehouse.com}}</ref> but are more often packaged with propellant as a [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] ("round" of ammunition) consisting of the ''bullet'' (i.e., the projectile),<ref>{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Edmund G. |title=Handgun Safety Certificate |date=2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Justice]] |location=[[West Sacramento, California]] |page=52 |author-link=Jerry Brown}}</ref> the ''case'' (which holds everything together), the ''[[propellant]]'' (which provides the majority of the energy to launch the projectile), and the ''[[Primer (firearms)|primer]]'' (which ignites the propellant). Cartridges, in turn, may be held in a [[Magazine (firearms)|''magazine'']], a [[Clip (firearms)|clip]], or a [[Belt (firearms)|''belt'']] (for rapid-fire [[automatic firearm]]s). Although the word ''bullet'' is often used in colloquial language to refer to a cartridge round, a bullet is ''not'' a cartridge but rather a component of one.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bullet Types: A Reference Guide |url=http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/bullet-types/ |access-date=28 January 2017 |website=cheaperthandirt.com}}</ref> This use of the term ''bullet'' (when intending to describe a cartridge) often leads to confusion when a cartridge and all its components are specifically being referenced.

The sound of gunfire (i.e. the "muzzle report") is often accompanied with a loud [[bullwhip]]-like crack as the [[Supersonic speed|supersonic]] bullet pierces through the air, creating a [[sonic boom]]. Bullet speeds at various stages of flight depend on intrinsic factors such as [[sectional density]], aerodynamic profile and [[ballistic coefficient]], as well as extrinsic factors such as [[Atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]], humidity, air temperature and wind speed.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eneaN4h-qBs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170814112348/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eneaN4h-qBs Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |last=INSPIREME |date=2 January 2016 |title=HOW fast bullet travels |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eneaN4h-qBs |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mythbusters Museum |url=http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/science-content/dodge-a-bullet/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118075027/http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/science-content/dodge-a-bullet/ |archive-date=2016-11-18 |access-date=2016-11-26 |website=Mythbusters Museum}}</ref> [[subsonic ammunition|Subsonic cartridge]]s fire bullets slower than the speed of sound, so there are no sonic booms. This means that a subsonic cartridge, such as [[.45 ACP]], can be substantially quieter than a supersonic cartridge, such as the [[.223 Remington]], even without the use of a [[Silencer (firearms)|suppressor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Can You Suppress Supersonic Ammo? |url=http://blog.silencershop.com/shooting-supersonic-suppressed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202133744/http://blog.silencershop.com/shooting-supersonic-suppressed/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=1 February 2017 |website=silencershop.com }}</ref>

Bullets shot by firearms can be used for [[target practice]] or to [[Gunshot wound|injure]] or kill animals or people. Death can be by [[exsanguination|blood loss]] or damage to vital organs, or even [[asphyxia]]tion if blood enters the lungs. Bullets are not the only projectiles shot from firearm-like equipment: BBs are shot from [[BB gun]]s, [[airsoft pellets]] are shot by [[airsoft gun]]s, [[Paintball equipment|paintballs]] are shot by [[paintball marker]]s, and small rocks can be hurtled from [[slingshot]]s. There are also [[flare gun]]s, [[Potato cannon|potato guns]] (and [[spud gun]]s), [[taser]]s, [[bean bag round]]s, [[grenade launcher]]s, [[Stun grenade|flash bangs]], [[tear gas]], [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPGs]], and [[Rocket launcher|missile launchers]].