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minute gun

American  
[min-it] / ˈmɪn ɪt /

noun

  1. a cannon fired at intervals of a minute, especially as a signal of distress or in a military funeral ceremony.


minute gun British  
/ ˈmɪnɪt /

noun

  1. a gun fired at one-minute intervals as a sign of distress or mourning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of minute gun

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Philip’s coffin was borne to the chapel on a bespoke Defender TD 130 in military green as a minute gun fired eight times.

From Reuters Apr. 16, 2021

Every one was about retiring for rest, when boom boom! from out of the darkness seaward came the roar of a minute gun.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

It was a minute gun fired by the Americans in honour of the gallant dead.

From The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: from Marathon to Waterloo by Creasy, Edward Shepherd, Sir

How often had he watched, through sounds like these, for a minute gun!

From The Heir of Redclyffe by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

He was giving out 'The minute gun at sea,—the minute gun at sea,' with all the pathos of his tenor voice, when the door burst open and the whole population rushed in upon us.

From Solomon by Woolson, Constance Fenimore

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