Battering ram
an ancient military device with a heavy horizontal ram for battering down walls, gates, etc.
any of various similar devices, usually machine-powered, used in demolition, by police and firefighters to force entrance to a building, etc.
Contemporary Examples
But, also, such pulse-pounding adventure is a battering ram against the central bulwark of a civilized society.
Dubai’s Hollywood Hitmen James Carroll February 18, 2010
One with a pistol strapped to his hip swings a battering ram into a door.
Local Cops Ready for War With Homeland Security-Funded Military Weapons Andrew Becker, G. W. Schulz December 20, 2011
Tonight, he was a battering ram whenever anyone tried to interrupt him.
Mitt Romney Stands His Ground Mark McKinnon October 18, 2011
Historical Examples
The battering ram was simply a heavy timber with a metal head, swung by chains from a kind of wooden trestle.
Life on a Mediaeval Barony William Stearns Davis
Had I had anything to use as a battering ram, I would have begun on the door.
Swept Out to Sea W. Bertram Foster
This is the battering ram, a fearful beast, I think he weighs a thousand tons at least.
A Phenomenal Fauna Carolyn Wells
“Going to try a battering ram,” said Tom, rather scared at the sight.
With Wellington in Spain F. S. Brereton
The thing was one of the long, squared timbers we had noted outside; and it was being used as a battering ram.
The Killer Stewart Edward White
Again and again she flung herself at it like a battering ram.
The Bungalow Boys Along the Yukon Dexter J. Forrester
There was what they called the battering ram, which was a long and very heavy beam of wood, headed with iron or brass.
Alexander the Great Jacob Abbott
noun
(esp formerly) a large beam used to break down the walls or doors of fortifications
Read Also:
- Battery
Electricity. Also called galvanic battery, voltaic battery. a combination of two or more cell electrically connected to work together to produce electric energy. cell1 (def 7a). any large group or series of related things: a battery of questions. Military. two or more pieces of artillery used for combined action. a tactical unit of artillery, usually […]
- Battery acid
battery acid noun phrase Coffee (WWII armed forces) Historical Examples The torso was crushed and the power circuits shorted, battery acid was dripping from an ugly rent in the side. The Velvet Glove Harry Harrison
- Battery eliminator
eliminator (def 2).
- Battery jar
a rather large cylindrical container of heavy glass with an open top, used in laboratories. Historical Examples This should be thoroughly mixed by pouring the solution from one battery jar into another. The Automobile Storage Battery O. A. Witte A battery jar or a small water-bath to hold the Erlenmeyer flask when packed round with […]
- Battery-park
The, a park at the S end of Manhattan, in New York City. noun (pl) -teries two or more primary cells connected together, usually in series, to provide a source of electric current short for dry battery another name for accumulator (sense 1) a number of similar things occurring together: a battery of questions (criminal […]