A kind of cannon; in the 15th and 16th cent. used largely as a ship's gun. Now historical.

The name of a gun and cannon formerly in use. In later times, a large cannon, very long in proportion to its bore.

A kind of large cannon.

A species of cannon; a serpentine or culverin. (Cf. sling, n.2)

A serpentine or culverin.

transferred. A large cannon, generally made of brass, and throwing a shot of about 200 pounds weight. (Other pieces of ordnance of the time were…

= basilisk, n. 3.

A name given to any of various large pieces of ordnance: cf. Meg, n.1 2. The great 15th-cent. cannon at Edinburgh Castle. Now rare.

= serpentine, n. 2.

a large culverin, typically capable of firing projectiles weighing 18 pounds (approx. 8 kg); cf. demi-culverin, n.

spec. A large mounted gun, usually the second largest in inventories of 16th and 17th cent. cannonry, having a bore of 8 inches (approx. 20 cm) in…

a cannon of the largest bore, typically capable of firing projectiles weighing 42 pounds (approx. 19 kg) or more; cf. demi-cannon, n. a.

A cannon having a bore of 6 inches (approx. 15 cm) in diameter and typically capable of firing projectiles, chiefly stones, weighing 24.25…

a type of small mortar; cf. sense B. 5.

Military. Any of various long-barrelled guns; spec. (a) a long-range swivel-mounted naval gun typically placed amidships; (b) a long-barrelled rifle…

Historical. = serpentine, n. 2.

Something that measures twelve inches in length, diameter, height, etc.; spec. (a) a cannon with a bore of twelve inches; (b) a twelve-inch record.

Soldiers' name for a German gun or mortar of large bore, used in the war of 1914–18; frequently Big Bertha, (now historical and rare) Long Bertha.

Military slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). A piece of heavy artillery. Also: a heavy artillery shell. Usually in plural. Now rare.

(See quot. 1925.)