long tom
/'lɔɳ'tɔm/
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of naval cannon: A long swivel cannon, historically used on ships. 2. A type of field gun: (Military slang) A long-barreled field gun, specifically a 155-millimeter howitzer or gun.
Usage
The term "long tom" is a historical and informal name for specific types of artillery, distinguished by their long barrels. It is not used in modern technical military contexts but appears in historical accounts and slang.
Examples
- Noun:
- The pirate ship was armed with several long toms on its main deck.
- During the war, the artillery unit deployed their long toms to bombard the distant fortifications.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe any unusually long or powerful object, though this is rare and context-dependent.
- The photographer set up his long tom of a lens to capture the wildlife from afar.
Variants and Related Words
- Field gun: A general term for mobile artillery.
- Howitzer: A shorter cannon that fires at a higher angle than a traditional "long tom."
- Naval gun: A general term for ship-mounted artillery.
Synonyms
- Cannon
- Artillery piece
- Gun (in a historical military context)
Related Phrases
- To bring up the long toms: A historical phrase meaning to deploy heavy artillery for an assault.
Noun
-
a long swivel cannon formerly used by the navy
