cannon ball
Definition
Noun: 1. A solid, spherical projectile fired from a cannon: A heavy, usually iron, ball used as ammunition for historical cannons. It is designed to inflict damage through its kinetic impact, smashing through fortifications or enemy lines.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The archaeologists found several rusted cannon balls at the site of the old fort.
- The force of the cannon ball shattered the ship's wooden hull.
- In historical reenactments, they use replicas, not real cannon balls.
Advanced Usage
- "Cannonball run": A term for a fast, direct, and often reckless journey or race, evoking the speed and straight trajectory of a fired cannonball.
- He made a cannonball run across the country to deliver the urgent package.
- "Cannonball dive" or "cannonball" (in swimming): A style of jumping into water where the body is curled into a tight ball to create a large splash.
- The kids competed to see who could do the biggest cannonball off the dock.
Variants and Related Words
- Cannonball (verb, informal): To move or proceed with great speed and force in a straight line.
- The train cannonballed through the night.
- Round shot: A more technical, historical synonym for a solid cannon ball.
- Grapeshot: A different type of cannon ammunition consisting of multiple smaller balls packed together, which scatter upon firing.
- Chain shot: Two cannon balls or half-balls connected by a chain, used to damage ship masts and rigging.
Synonyms
- Projectile: An object propelled through the air.
- Shot: A general term for a solid artillery projectile.
- Ball: (In historical/artillery context) a solid round projectile.
Related Phrases
- Like a cannonball: An adverbial phrase describing something moving with immense speed and power.
- He came out of the starting blocks like a cannonball.
Related Idioms
- "Cannon fodder": While not directly using "cannon ball," this related idiom refers to soldiers regarded merely as material to be expended in war, much like ammunition.
- The poorly trained recruits were treated as nothing more than cannon fodder.
Noun
-
a solid projectile that in former times was fired from a cannon
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