chainshot

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A form of chain shot — A projectile consisting of two cannon balls or half balls linked by a chain, fired from cannons mostly to attack spars and rigging.

Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounchainshot (countable and uncountable, plural chainshots)

plural chainshots

  1. alternativecountableuncountableAlternative form of chain shot.

    The chainshot, called two-headed angels, made her think of Evonne's ship and gave her a brief tremor of emotion amid her work.

    1980, Valerie Vayle, Seaflame, →ISBN, page 314
    2 more examples

    Various subordinate plans were also detailed by the witness; amongst others, Broughton 'told him, with an oath, that he was resolved to load .the great gun in the park with four balls or chainshots, and fire it at the king's coach as he returned from the House.

    1876, Peter Burke, Celebrated Naval and Military Trials, page 420

    Mr. Gray was investigating boxes and boxes of fascinating weaponry—grapeshot, chainshot, minié balls, cannonballs, bayonets, landmines—when a voice intruded.

    2001, Stephen King, Dreamcatcher: A Novel, →ISBN, page 603
Cite this entry
APA

chainshot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chainshot

MLA

“chainshot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chainshot. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chainshot,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chainshot.

Source: chainshot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.