musket ball

Thân thiện

A soldier loads a musket ball into his firearm.

Definition

Noun: A solid, spherical projectile, typically made of lead, designed to be fired from a musket. It is a single, non-explosive shot.

Examples

• The archaeologists found several musket balls buried at the site of the historic battle.
• Soldiers would carry pre-measured powder and a musket ball in a paper cartridge.
• The musket ball shattered the bone upon impact.

Advanced Usage

• The term "ball" alone was historically used as a synonym for musket ball in military contexts (e.g., "powder and ball").
• In historical fiction or reenactment, the loading process is often described as "ramming the musket ball down the barrel."

Variants and Related Words

• Round shot: A more general term for solid spherical projectiles used in various types of antique artillery, including cannons. A musket ball is a type of round shot for small arms.
• Minié ball: A specific, conical-shaped bullet that succeeded the spherical musket ball in the mid-19th century, offering greater range and accuracy.

Synonyms

• Shot
• Bullet (in the historical context of muzzle-loading firearms)
• Projectile

Related Phrases

• Powder and ball: A historical phrase referring to the two essential components for firing a musket—gunpowder and the projectile.
  • The soldier checked his pouch to ensure he had enough powder and ball for the skirmish.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a solid projectile that is shot by a musket
   • they had to carry a ramrod as well as powder and ball

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ball