gas-shell
Definition
- Noun:
- A "gas-shell" is a type of artillery projectile designed to release poison gas upon detonation. It is a military munition used primarily in chemical warfare to disperse toxic gases over an area.
Usage Examples
- (A projectile that releases poison gas.)
- (Artillery shells filled with chemical agents.)
Advanced Usage
"Gas-shell attack": an offensive operation involving the firing of gas-shells.
- The gas-shell attack caused widespread panic among the troops. (The use of poison gas munitions.)
"Gas-shell casing": the empty container left after a gas-shell has been fired or detonated.
- The battlefield was littered with gas-shell casings. (Empty remnants of chemical munitions.)
Variants and Related Words
Gas (n): a substance in a state that expands freely to fill any space; in military context, often refers to poison gas.
- The enemy used gas in the trench. (Toxic chemical agent.)
Shell (n): a hollow projectile fired from a cannon or artillery piece.
- The shell exploded upon impact. (Artillery munition.)
Shelling (n): the act of firing shells.
- Constant shelling forced the civilians to flee. (Artillery bombardment.)
Synonyms
- Chemical shell: a projectile containing chemical agents.
- Poison gas round: a military term for a gas-shell.
- Tear gas shell: a specific type of gas-shell that releases tear gas (a less lethal variant).
Related Idioms
"Gas-shell barrage": a sustained period of firing gas-shells.
- The gas-shell barrage lasted for hours, contaminating the area. (Continuous chemical attack.)
"Gas-shell casualty": a person injured or killed by a gas-shell.
- Many gas-shell casualties were treated for lung damage. (Victims of chemical weapons.)
Note on Usage
- The term "gas-shell" is primarily historical, associated with World War I and early chemical warfare. It is now largely replaced by "chemical munition" or "chemical artillery round" due to international treaties banning poison gas.