shrapnel
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Henry Shrapnel, British army officer who invented an anti-personnel shell that transported a large number of bullets to the target before releasing them, at a far greater distance than rifles could fire the bullets individually. The surname is likely a metathesised form of Charbonnel, a diminutive of Old French "charbon" (charcoal) in reference to hair colour, complexion, or the like.
Noun [edit]
shrapnel (uncountable)
- A collective term for shot, fragments, or debris thrown out by an exploding shell or landmine.
- (slang) Loose change.
- debris caused by action of persons or animals.
- The dog did not eat my sandwich. It was in a bag. If he had eaten my sandwich, there'd be shrapnel all over the place from him tearing open the bag.
Translations [edit]
fragments and debris thrown out by an exploding device
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loose change — see loose change
French [edit]
Noun [edit]
shrapnel m (plural shrapnels)
