demi-cannon

[dem-ee-kan-uhn]

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).

Word History and Origins

Origin of demi-cannon¹

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

Example Sentences

The Revenge mounted forty "great ordnance" of brass, including cannon-royal, demi-cannon, and culverins for firing a broadside.

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The demi-cannon were a foot longer, but a ton lighter.

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The Triumph carried 42 guns, of which 4 were cannon, 3 demi-cannon, 17 culverins, 8 demi-culverins, 6 sakers, and 4 small pieces.

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Cannon 4 60 Demi-cannon 3 32 Culverin 4 18 Demi-culverin 2   8 Saker 4   6 Cannon Perer 2 26 Falcon 2   2 The sizes of the guns of this time are pretty accurately known, because one of the ships of Henry VIII., called the Mary Rose, built in 1509, went down off Portsmouth in 1545, and several of her guns have been recovered, and are still in existence.

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The cannon or battering ordnance is divided by the English into Cannon Royal, Whole Cannon and Demi-Cannon.

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