Definition

A type of ammunition made up of many small metal balls that are fired from a cannon to hit multiple targets at once.

Example

The soldiers loaded the cannon with grapeshot to maximize the damage against the advancing enemy.

Conversation

Did you know that in the old days, they used to fire grapeshot from cannons during battles?

Really? I had no idea what that even was.

Yeah, it was basically a bunch of small iron balls meant to hit multiple targets at once.

That sounds pretty brutal, but I guess it was effective back then.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Grapeshot is formed from "grape" (from Old French *grape*, meaning a cluster of grapes) and "shot" (from Old English *sceotan*, meaning to throw or cast). The term originally referred to a type of ammunition that consisted of small iron balls, resembling a cluster of grapes, which were shot from cannons.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'cluster of grapes' ('grape') being 'thrown' ('shot') — that's why grapeshot refers to ammunition that spreads out like a bunch of grapes.

Visually Confused Words