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

See Examples For:

shot tower

These monuments, however, such as they are, have, by the liberal contributions made for their erection, exceeded in cost that of Bunker Hill, or the half-finished shot tower in Washington.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 1, July, 1863 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various

As they passed the Jefferson Market fire-alarm bell-tower, Overdale said it was a shot tower, erected in revolutionary times.

From The History and Records of the Elephant Club by Doesticks, Q. K. Philander

It looks, at this distance of about thirty miles, like what it is called--the long chimney of a steam factory establishment, or a shot tower in Baltimore.

From The Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Oregon and California To which is Added a Description of the Physical Geography of California, with Recent Notices of the Gold Region from the Latest and Most Authentic Sources by Frémont, John Charles

She made for the South East, unconsciously guided by the hieratic shot tower of Westminster.

From A Bed of Roses by George, Walter Lionel

The old shot tower gave name to the summer encampment known as Tower Hill, where, in connection with the little farm adjoining, I have found vacation rest and renewal for the last twenty years.

From An Artilleryman's Diary by Jones, Jenkins Lloyd