plunging fire

American  

noun

Military.

1. artillery or other fire that strikes the ground at a steep angle, as from high ground overlooking the target or from a weapon fired at a high angle of elevation.

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Etymology

Origin of plunging fire

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

This meant it had less armour than a battleship, particularly horizontal armour against plunging fire - shells coming down from on high at a long range.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2018

It has a moat, casemates, loopholes, and twelve bouches à feu for plunging fire.

From To the Gold Coast for Gold A Personal Narrative in Two Volumes.—Volume I by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

There he saw the British army in position waiting for him, crowning the heights above the estuary, and ready to overwhelm his landing-parties with a plunging fire of missiles.

From Early Britain—Roman Britain by Conybeare, Edward

It also afforded a grazing fire over the ditch, which was very important, and which the rampart supported by a plunging fire.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

There was scarce time to mark these features before the head of my column appeared, when it was filed to the left, close to the base of the ridge, for protection from the plunging fire.

From Destruction and Reconstruction: Personal Experiences of the Late War by Taylor, Richard