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

See Examples For:

demi-cannon

In the 16th and 17th centuries the “cannon” in England was distinctively a large piece, smaller natures of ordnance being called by various special names such as culverin, saker, falcon, demi-cannon, &c.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various

Upon every bulwark is mounted one demi-cannon, besides other great guns; in other places are smaller pieces.

From A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. by Charles Morton

Abel Keeling was one of the new men, the men who swore by the line-ahead, the broadside fire of sakers and demi-cannon, and weeks and months without a landfall.

From Widdershins by Oliver [pseud.] Onions

He added that the main entrance to the place was strongly fortified, and protected by a half company of fifty men with eight brass demi-cannon.

From On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. by John Masefield

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

From The Golden Galleon BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE ADVENTURES OF MASTER GILBERT OGLANDER, AND OF HOW, IN THE YEAR 1591, HE FOUGHT UNDER THE GALLANT SIR by Robert Leighton