long tom

American  

noun

(usually initial capital letters)

1. a towed 155 mm field cannon produced by the United States throughout World War II.

2. a long, heavy cannon formerly carried by small naval vessels.

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long tom British  

noun

1. a long swivel cannon formerly used in naval warfare

2. a long-range land gun

3. an army slang name for cannon

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Etymology

Origin of long tom

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

A "long tom" is an inclined, narrow box set stationary with a constant stream of water entering at the upper end.

From The Business of Mining A brief non-technical exposition of the principles involved in the profitable operation of mines by Hoskin, Arthur J.

With a long tom, two men will ordinarily handle about five or six cubic yards in ten hours.

From The Business of Mining A brief non-technical exposition of the principles involved in the profitable operation of mines by Hoskin, Arthur J.

The Creole boy learns that he, too, can work with pick, pan, cradle, rocker, at the long tom, sluice, and in the tunnel drift.

From The Little Lady of Lagunitas A Franco-Californian Romance by Savage, Richard

Moving two of the nine-pounders across the deck, and cutting ports for them in the bulwarks, he brought five guns, in addition to his famous "long tom," to bear on the enemy.

From Gentlemen Rovers by Powell, E. Alexander (Edward Alexander)

There was plenty of ground called poor ground that had much gold in it but could not be profitably worked with the rocker and long tom.

From Death Valley in '49 by Manly, William Lewis

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