grapeshot
Scattered cannon projectiles
Grapeshot is a type of artillery ammunition consisting of small iron balls packed together, which scatter upon firing like pellets from a shotgun.
Used from the 17th through 19th centuries, it was devastating against massed infantry at close range: Napoleon ordered grapeshot fired into the crowd.
The term occasionally appears in historical fiction or figurative descriptions of overwhelming force.
Scattered explosion fragments
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
discharge · blast · scatter · spray · devastation · carnage · maiming · wounds
Round artillery ammunition
- roundshotSolid spherical projectile
- canisterSealed cylindrical container
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- powderFine dry particles
projectile · musket · flintlock · howitzer · mortar · blunderbuss · muzzle-loader · swivel gun
Fierce written assault
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- frigateMedium-sized naval warship
- galleonLarge historical sailing ship
- man-of-warArmed sailing vessel
ship-of-the-line · gunpowder · privateer · corsair · deck · boarding · close-quarters · gun deck
Of the French emperor
- Revolutionary WarColonial uprising against Britain
- Civil WarCountrymen fighting countrymen
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
smoothbore · muzzle-loading · field artillery · battery · Bonaparte · battlefield · infantry · cavalry charge
Small rounded mass
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- spherePerfectly round solid
- lead ballSpherical metal projectile
- clusterGathered group nearby
buckshot · anti-personnel · casing · canvas bag · wadding
shrapnel
Scattered explosion fragments
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
barrage · discharge · blast · scatter · spray · devastation · carnage · maiming · wounds · casualties
cannonball
Round artillery ammunition
- roundshotSolid spherical projectile
- canisterSealed cylindrical container
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
powder · projectile · musket · flintlock · howitzer · mortar · blunderbuss · muzzle-loader · swivel gun · chainshot
broadside
Fierce written assault
man-of-war · ship-of-the-line · gunpowder · privateer · corsair · deck · boarding · close-quarters · gun deck · port
Napoleonic
Of the French emperor
- Revolutionary WarColonial uprising against Britain
- Civil WarCountrymen fighting countrymen
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
19th century · smoothbore · muzzle-loading · field artillery · battery · Bonaparte · battlefield · infantry · cavalry charge · close range
pellet
Small rounded mass
cluster · buckshot · anti-personnel · casing · canvas bag · wadding
- ammunitionammunition, ammo, bullet, bullets, shells
- Civil War gearmusket, rifle, bayonet, canteen, knapsack
- naval gunnerynaval gun, cannons, gunnery drills, guns, naval guns
- naval weaponstorpedo, naval guns, cannon, naval mines, gun turret
- ordnancebomb, grenade, landmine, mine, mortar round
- projectilesbullet, bullets, arrow, rocket, rockets