stern chaser

American

noun

a cannon mounted at or near the stern of a sailing ship, facing aft.

stern-chaser British

noun

a gun mounted at the stern of a vessel for firing aft at a pursuing vessel

"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 stern chaser

First recorded in 1805–15

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.

At two o'clock, the Belvidera opened with her bow guns, to which the Constitution responded with her stern chasers.

From Project Gutenberg

Pivot guns were so fixed as to be used for bow and stern chasers, and the pilot-house was placed forward of the smoke-stack and armored with four inches of iron.

From Project Gutenberg

We gave chase to them; but when we came within gun shot of the stern most, she fired her stern chasers at us.

From Project Gutenberg

We returned their fire with our stern chasers.

From Project Gutenberg

Behold the conning tower above The big stern chasers pointing aft!

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023