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Glite Dictionary
four-pounder

four-pounder

1 9.9
A small cannon that fires a four-pound shot
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔrˌpaʊndər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : cañón de cuatro libras
  • He explained how the four-pounder was crucial in naval warfare during the 18th century.

Examples

  • During the historical reenactment, the team fired a four-pounder to simulate a cannon attack.

  • During the battle, the four-pounder proved effective against lightly armored targets.

  • Historians discovered a well-preserved four-pounder among the ruins of the old fort.

  • The army positioned a four-pounder at the edge of the field to support the infantry.

  • The four-pounder was used in several battles during the 18th century.

  • Can you believe they still use a four-pounder for reenactments?

  • The soldiers prepared the four-pounder for battle, ensuring it was properly positioned and loaded.

Surface Forms

four-pounder singular
four-pounders plural

Morphology

four-pounder = four + pound (transparent) = four + pound + er

Built from the measurable quantity 'four' + the unit 'pound' with '-er' forming an instrument/agent noun; the meaning is directly deducible.

Etymology

Four-pounder is a simple name made of four meaning 'four', pound meaning 'weight', and -er meaning 'one that'. So a four-pounder is a gun that fires a shot weighing four pounds.