Shrapnel: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฃ
shrapnel
[ หสrรฆpnษl ]
military term
Shrapnel refers to fragments of a bomb, shell, or other explosive device that are thrown out when it detonates. It is primarily used to inflict injury or damage to people and objects in the vicinity of the explosion. The term comes from the name of Henry Shrapnel, an English artillery officer who developed a type of ammunition that contained small projectiles designed to be scattered over a wide area. Shrapnel can cause serious injuries or fatalities due to its high speed and unpredictability. It is a significant concern in combat situations, as troops must be aware of potential shrapnel injuries.
Synonyms
debris, fragment, shard, splinter
Examples of usage
- The soldiers were warned about the dangers of shrapnel in the field.
- Shrapnel from the explosion injured several civilians.
- He had to undergo surgery due to shrapnel wounds.
- The blast radius included numerous shrapnel hazards.
Translations
Translations of the word "shrapnel" in other languages:
๐ต๐น fragmentos
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฐเฅเคฐเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Splitter
๐ฎ๐ฉ pecahan
๐บ๐ฆ ะพัะบะพะปะบะธ
๐ต๐ฑ odลamki
๐ฏ๐ต ็ ด็
๐ซ๐ท รฉclats
๐ช๐ธ esquirlas
๐น๐ท ลarapnel
๐ฐ๐ท ํํธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุดุธุงูุง
๐จ๐ฟ tลรญsky
๐ธ๐ฐ รบlomky
๐จ๐ณ ๅผน็
๐ธ๐ฎ kosmi
๐ฎ๐ธ sprengiefni
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะพัะบะพะปะบะฐะปะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แคแ แแแแแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ ลrapnel
๐ฒ๐ฝ fragmentos
Word origin
The word 'shrapnel' is derived from the name of British Army officer Henry Shrapnel, who invented an explosive artillery shell in the late 18th century. The shell contained small metal balls and was designed to explode in the air or upon impact, scattering its contents over a wide area to maximize damage to enemy troops. This innovation was significant in the evolution of artillery warfare, as it marked a shift from traditional solid shot to explosive shells that caused greater devastation. The term was first recorded in military literature in the early 19th century and has since become synonymous with the destructive power of modern munitions. Today, 'shrapnel' is used in both military contexts and colloquially to refer to any debris or fragments resulting from an explosion.