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Webster 1913 Edition


Howitzer

How′itz-er

,
Noun.
[G.
haubitze
, formerly
hauffnitz
, Bohem.
haufnice
, orig., a sling.]
(Mil.)
(a)
A gun so short that the projectile, which was hollow, could be put in its place by hand; a kind of mortar.
[Obs.]
(b)
A short, light, largebore cannon, usually having a chamber of smaller diameter than the rest of the bore, and intended to throw large projectiles with comparatively small charges.

Definition 2024


howitzer

howitzer

English

Noun

howitzer (plural howitzers)

  1. A cannon that combines certain characteristics of guns and mortars. The howitzer delivers projectiles with medium velocities, either by low or high trajectories.
  2. Normally a cannon with a tube length of 20 to 30 calibers; however, the tube length can exceed 30 calibers and still be considered a howitzer when the high angle fire zoning solution permits range overlap between charges
  3. (sports, rugby, ice hockey) A powerfully hit shot.

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