plunging fire

American  

noun

Military.

1. artillery or other fire that strikes the ground at a steep angle, as from high ground overlooking the target or from a weapon fired at a high angle of elevation.

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Etymology

Origin of plunging fire

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plunging fire

This meant it had less armour than a battleship, particularly horizontal armour against plunging fire - shells coming down from on high at a long range.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2018

On the other hand, the besiegers’ saps, as they progressed down the glacis, were exposed to a plunging fire from the parapet.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

There he saw the British army in position waiting for him, crowning the heights above the estuary, and ready to overwhelm his landing-parties with a plunging fire of missiles.

From Early Britain—Roman Britain by Edward Conybeare

But she has a low freeboard, and the guns, therefore, get no plunging fire.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887 by Various

The British artillery now opened at half range, and although the plunging fire scathed and devasted the dark ranks of the Guard, on they came, Ney himself on foot at their head.

From Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 by Charles James Lever