grazing fire
Noun: A type of gunfire that is directed nearly parallel to the ground, where the primary concentration of bullets remains at a low altitude, typically not rising more than about one meter above the ground surface. It is designed to sweep across an area horizontally.
This term is used primarily in military and tactical contexts to describe a specific, controlled method of suppressive or defensive fire. - The machine gunner laid down grazing fire to prevent the enemy from advancing across the open field. - Effective grazing fire can deny the enemy use of a particular avenue of approach.
- "to establish grazing fire": To set up a field of fire at this specific, low trajectory.
- The platoon leader ordered the squad to establish grazing fire along the tree line.
- Plunging fire (n): Fire delivered at a steep angle, descending onto a target, in contrast to the horizontal nature of grazing fire.
- Direct fire (n): Fire aimed directly at a target within the line of sight, a broader category that can include grazing fire.
- Beaten zone (n): The area on the ground where the majority of bullets from a burst of fire, such as grazing fire, will fall.
- Flat-trajectory fire: Fire with a nearly horizontal path.
- Creeping fire: Fire that sweeps low across the ground (this is a less common, more descriptive synonym).
- "Field of grazing fire": The specific area or lane that can be covered by this type of fire.
- The weapon's position gave it a perfect field of grazing fire over the bridge.
This term refers exclusively to the trajectory and effect of the fire, not to the act of animals feeding on grass. It is a technical term within the domain of weaponry and tactics.
- fire approximately parallel to the ground; the center of the cone of fire does rise above 1 meter from the ground