demi-cannon

American  

[dem-ee-kan-uhn] / ˌdɛm iˈkæn ən /

noun

1. a large cannon of the 16th century, having a bore of about 6½ inches (17 centimeters) and firing a shot of from 30 to 36 pounds (14 to 16 kilograms).

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Etymology

Origin of demi-cannon

From Middle French, dating back to 1550–60; see origin at demi-, cannon

Example Sentences

One demi-cannon, old casting of Manila, caliber sixteen libras, length twenty-two calibers.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 14 of 55 1606-1609 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of The Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Blair, Emma Helen

On the edge of the downs, on the narrow slip of hard sand above high- water mark, and on Vere's right, Maurice had placed a battery of six demi-cannon.

From History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce, 1600 by Motley, John Lothrop

What, do you call this a sleeve? it is like a demi-cannon, carved up and down like an apple tart.'

From Tales from Shakespeare by Lamb, Mary

Fort of Nuestra Señora de Guia One demi-cannon, old casting of Manila, caliber sixteen libras, length twenty-two calibers.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 14 of 55 1606-1609 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of The Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Blair, Emma Helen

In the port ride two caravels--eighty tons, no more--and their greatest gun a demi-cannon.

From Sir Mortimer by Johnston, Mary