claymore mine

noun

Military.

1. an antipersonnel mine designed to produce a direction-guided, fan-shaped pattern of fragments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of claymore mine¹

First recorded in 1965–70; perhaps after claymore

Example Sentences

In this instance, it was a claymore mine — an explosive that sprays shrapnel toward its targets — that had a trip wire.

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Related Words

• booby trap 
• mine