Definition

A strong, waterproof adhesive tape with a cloth backing, typically silver or gray, used for quick repairs and temporary fixes. Originally developed for military use, it has become ubiquitous in households and workshops.

Example Usage

When the car door hinge broke, we used duct tape to hold it together until we could get it repaired.

Origin

Developed during World War II as 'duck tape' for the U.S. military to seal ammunition cases; the name changed to 'duct tape' post-war when it was repurposed for HVAC ductwork.

Fun Fact

Duct tape was famously used during the Apollo 13 mission to repair the lunar module's carbon dioxide filters, helping the astronauts return safely to Earth.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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