shot tower

American  

noun

1. a tower from the top of which finely divided streams of molten lead are dropped down a central well, breaking up into spherical drops during their fall to be quenched and hardened in a tank of water at the bottom.

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shot tower British  

noun

1. a building formerly used in the production of shot, in which molten lead was graded and dropped from a great height into water, thus cooling it and forming the shot

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Etymology

Origin of shot tower

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

At the moment this “atomisation” process works like an old-fashioned shot tower.

From Economist

On many of the rocks shot towers have been erected, the whole country, as is well known, abounding in lead.

From Project Gutenberg

These lofty towering bluffs that rise up so perpendicularly, projecting over the river, afford every convenience for forming natural shot towers.

From Project Gutenberg

The naked cliff, rising sheer above the rapid current, was, early in this century, utilized as a shot tower.

From Project Gutenberg

At the time he was engaged at the shot tower business.

From Project Gutenberg