grapeshot

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grape·shot

(grāp′shŏt′)

1. A cluster of small iron balls or other small projectiles, often contained in a canvas bag, that scatter when fired from a cannon, formerly used as an antipersonnel round.

2. Such balls or projectiles considered as a group.

[From its resemblance to a cluster of grapes.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

grapeshot

(ˈɡreɪpˌʃɒt)

(Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) ammunition for cannons consisting of a canvas tube containing a cluster of small iron or lead balls that scatter after firing

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

grape•shot

(ˈgreɪpˌʃɒt)

n.

a cluster of small cast-iron balls formerly used as a charge for a cannon.

[1740–50]

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Noun

grapeshot - a cluster of small projectiles fired together from a cannon to produce a hail of shot

grape

pellet, shot - a solid missile discharged from a firearm; "the shot buzzed past his ear"

Translations

grapeshot

[ˈgreɪpʃɒt] N → metralla f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

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References in classic literature ?

"Colonel," interrupted the officer of the suite, "You must be quick or the enemy will bring up his guns to use grapeshot."

Will they get there and fire the bridge or will the French get within grapeshot range and wipe them out?" These were the questions each man of the troops on the high ground above the bridge involuntarily asked himself with a sinking heart- watching the bridge and the hussars in the bright evening light and the blue tunics advancing from the other side with their bayonets and guns.

The hussars will get it hot!" said Nesvitski; "they are within grapeshot range now."

"There now!" said the officer of the suite, "that's grapeshot."

Smoke appeared again but at irregular intervals, and grapeshot cracked and rattled onto the bridge.

The French had time to fire three rounds of grapeshot before the hussars got back to their horses.

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A whiz and a rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream.

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* To show the tenor of thought, the following definition is quoted from "The Cynic's Word Book" (1906 A.D.), written by one Ambrose Bierce, an avowed and confirmed misanthrope of the period: "Grapeshot, n.

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The battle, codenamed Operation Grapeshot, was the final Allied attack during the Italian Campaign in the final stages of World War II.

Pre-Mossad, IDF: English Jewish Brigade Fought Nazis

1797: Admiral Nelson was wounded in the right arm by grapeshot. He had it amputated that afternoon.

ON THIS DAY

| 1797: Admiral Nelson, left, was wounded in the right arm by grapeshot. He had it amputated that afternoon.