trench mortar

American  

noun

1. a portable, muzzle-loaded mortar, usually having a smooth bore, fired at high angles of elevation to reach concealed enemy targets.

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trench mortar British  

noun

1. a portable mortar used in trench warfare to shoot projectiles at a high trajectory over a short range

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Etymology

Origin of trench mortar

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

We were listening intently to the audio version of Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms,” and the rental car almost swerved off the road when Frederic Henry got hit by a trench mortar shell.

From Washington Post

There are at least four more batteries of nine-inch guns to the right of the farm, and behind the poplars they have put in trench mortars.

From Literature

“He’s all right. It was a big trench mortar shell.”

From Literature

Only the day before the Germans had been active with trench mortars, and he couldn't understand why they were sulking now.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of their intense gunfire of massed batteries, supported by Austrian howitzers and large numbers of heavy trench mortars, the Germans' plans were thwarted so far as this rapidity of progress was concerned.

From Project Gutenberg