fléchette

American  

[fley-shet] / fleɪˈʃɛt /

noun

plural

fléchettes

1. Military. a small, dartlike metal projectile used as shrapnel in antipersonnel bombs and shells.

2. a bullet with a thin, hard metal spine, designed to tumble on impact and thus cause an incapacitating wound.

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fléchette British  

/ fleɪˈʃɛt /

noun

1. a steel dart or missile dropped from an aircraft, as in World War I

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Etymology

Origin of fléchette

From French, dating back to 1910–15; flèche, -ette

Example Sentences

Kay’s sumptuous bath had to be set up in the box-room, between two towel-horses and an old box of selected games which contained a worn-out straw dart-board—it was called flechette in those days—because all the other rooms were full of packing.

From Literature

A 2011 report by a Israeli nongovernmental organization, B’Tselem, argued that the use of flechette shells in civilian areas was in breach of human rights.

From Newsweek

“If the allegations of flechette shells being used are true, then that is very serious,” Andrew Smith of the Campaign Against Arms Trade told Newsweek.

From Newsweek

The Palestinian Campaign for Human Rights claimed that the IDF is using controversial “flechette” shells, which contain thousands of steel darts that spread out over a large area, and released a photograph purporting to show some of the darts.

From Newsweek

There is ongoing debate concerning the legality of Israel’s use of flechette shells, after the country’s high court ruled that they are legal in 2002.

From Newsweek