how·it·zer (hou  t-s r)n. A relatively short cannon that delivers shells at a medium muzzle velocity, usually by a high trajectory. [Dutch houwitser, from German Haubitze, alteration of obsolete haufnitz, catapult, from Old Czech haufnice, probably from haufn  , catapult that slung many stones at once : hauf, group, heap (from probably from Middle High German h fe, from Old High German hfo) + -ny, n. suff.] |
howitzer [ˈhaʊɪtsə]
n
(Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) a cannon having a short or medium barrel with a low muzzle velocity and a steep angle of fire
[from Dutch houwitser, from German Haubitze, from Czech houfnice stone-sling]
1. A cannon that combines certain characteristics of guns and mortars. The howitzer delivers projectiles with medium velocities, either by low or high trajectories.
2. Normally a cannon with a tube length of 20 to 30 calibers; however, the tube length can exceed 30 calibers and still be considered a howitzer when the high angle fire zoning solution permits range overlap between charges. See also gun; mortar.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  howitzer - a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short rangehigh-angle gun - a cannon that can be fired at a high elevation for relatively short ranges |
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