Cannonball
a missile, usually round and made of iron or steel, designed to be fired from a cannon.
Tennis. a served ball that travels with great speed and describes little or no arc in flight.
anything that moves with great speed, as an express train.
made from a curled-up position with the arms pressing the knees against one’s chest:
a cannonball dive.
moving at great speed:
a train known as a cannonball express.
Julian (“Cannonball”) 1928–75, American jazz saxophonist.
Contemporary Examples
Joseph McElroy’s ‘Cannonball’ Is the Meta Iraq War Novel Tom LeClair July 24, 2013
Michael Tomasky on Obama’s Delusions About the GOP’s ‘Fever’ Breaking Michael Tomasky June 6, 2012
Joseph McElroy’s ‘Cannonball’ Is the Meta Iraq War Novel Tom LeClair July 24, 2013
World Cup Primer Joshua Robinson June 11, 2010
Joseph McElroy’s ‘Cannonball’ Is the Meta Iraq War Novel Tom LeClair July 24, 2013
Historical Examples
North Dakota Various
With Fire and Sword Samuel H. M. Byers
They of the High Trails Hamlin Garland
North Dakota Various
Held Fast For England G. A. Henty
noun
a projectile fired from a cannon: usually a solid round metal shot
(tennis)
a very fast low serve
(as modifier): a cannonball serve
a jump into water by a person who has his arms tucked into the body to form a ball
verb (intransitive)
often foll by along, etc. to rush along, like a cannonball
to execute a cannonball jump
adjective
very fast or powerful
A fast express or freight train (1915+ Hoboes)
A message sent from one prisoner to another, or from a prisoner to friends outside (1920+ Prison)
Read Also:
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the greatly developed middle metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed quadruped mammals, extending from the hock to the fetlock. Historical Examples Riding and Driving Edward L. Anderson Riding and Driving Edward L. Anderson noun a bone in the legs of horses and other hoofed animals consisting of greatly elongated fused metatarsals or metacarpals
- Cannon-fodder
soldiers, especially infantrymen, who run the greatest risk of being wounded or killed in warfare. Historical Examples Adventures of a Despatch Rider W. H. L. Watson Dangerous Days Mary Roberts Rinehart Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 153, Sept. 19, 1917 Various The Nameless Castle Maurus Jkai Battle Studies Charles-Jean-Jacques-Joseph Ardant du Picq The Day […]
- Cannonade
a continued discharge of cannon, especially during an attack. an attack, as of invective or censure, suggestive of cannon fire; barrage. to attack continuously with or as if with cannon. to discharge like continuous cannon fire. Contemporary Examples The Wrong Election Takeaways From Christie’s Win, Virginia, and More Michael Tomasky November 6, 2013 Historical Examples […]
- Cannonading
a continued discharge of cannon, especially during an attack. an attack, as of invective or censure, suggestive of cannon fire; barrage. to attack continuously with or as if with cannon. to discharge like continuous cannon fire. Historical Examples Red Fleece Will Levington Comfort The Long Roll Mary Johnston War Days in Brittany Elsie Deming Jarves […]
- Cannonball-pulse
cannonball pulse