ramrod
Muzzle-loader's tool
A ramrod is a rod for pushing ammunition down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm, or for cleaning gun barrels.
The word extends to anything straight and rigid: ramrod posture, sitting ramrod straight.
A ramrod is also someone who pushes things through with force and efficiency—to ramrod a project is to drive it forward relentlessly, overcoming obstacles by sheer will.
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- percussionSound through impact
bore · loading · cleaning · powder · ball · patch · ramming · tamping
Vertical in position
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- stiffNot easily bent
- straightNot curved or crooked
- spineColumn of vertebrae
bearing · deportment · rigid · stance · standing · backbone · vertical · tall
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- sternStrict or ship's aft
firm · uncompromising · exacting · demanding · austere · severe · hard · tough
Person with authority over others
- foremanWorker who directs others
- overseerOne who monitors work
- taskmasterStrict work supervisor
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
director · disciplinarian · boss · superintendent · supervisor · driver · organizer · manager
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
percussion · bore · loading · cleaning · powder · ball · patch · ramming · tamping · blackpowder
erect
Vertical in position
spine · bearing · deportment · rigid · stance · standing · backbone · vertical · tall · unbending
rigid
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
stern · firm · uncompromising · exacting · demanding · austere · severe · hard · tough · relentless
commander
Person with authority over others
- foremanWorker who directs others
- overseerOne who monitors work
- taskmasterStrict work supervisor
enforcer · director · disciplinarian · boss · superintendent · supervisor · driver · organizer · manager · leader
- livestock workerscowboy, rancher, cattleman, cowherd, cowhand
- rodsdowel, pushrod, pole, shaft, axle
- historical warfaremusket, bayonet, cannon, flintlock, cavalry
- Civil War gearmusket, rifle, bayonet, canteen, knapsack
- trapper gearbeaver trap, steel trap, snare, skinning knife, powder horn
- artillery equipmentrammer, firing pin, cartridge case, quadrant, clinometer
ramrodlax
Insufficiently firm or rigorous
lenient · permissive · indulgent · easygoing · tolerant
- ramrod straightPerfectly erect posture
- straight as a ramrodExtremely erect in posture