Category:Bombard

Bom"bard, n. Etym: [F. bombarde, LL. bombarda, fr. L. bombus + -ard. Cf. Bumper, and see Bomb.]

1. (Gun.)

Defn: A piece of heavy ordnance formerly used for throwing stones and other ponderous missiles. It was the earliest kind of cannon. They planted in divers places twelve great bombards, wherewith they threw huge stones into the air, which, falling down into the city, might break down the houses. Knolles.

2. A bombardment. [Poetic & R.] J. Barlow.

3. A large drinking vessel or can, or a leather bottle, for carrying liquor or beer. [Obs.] Yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor. Shak.

4. pl.

Defn: Padded breeches. [Obs.] Bombard phrase, inflated language; bombast. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Bombard Bom"bard, n. Etym: [OE. bombarde, fr. F. bombarde.] (Mus.)

Defn: See Bombardo. [Obs.]

Bombard Bom*bard", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bombarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Bombarding.]

Defn: To attack with bombards or with artillery; especially, to throw shells, hot shot, etc., at or into. Next, she means to bombard Naples. Burke. His fleet bombarded and burnt down Dieppe. Wood.