shrapnel etymology

Etymology:

• The word "shrapnel" is derived from the surname of its inventor, Henry Shrapnel (1761-1842), a British artillery officer.

Meaning:

• A type of artillery shell containing numerous metal balls embedded in a rigid matrix.

Origin:

• 1803: Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Shrapnel of the Royal Artillery developed a new type of artillery shell, which he patented in the same year.
• Shrapnel's shell consisted of a hollow iron sphere filled with black powder and metal balls.
• When the shell was fired, a timed fuze would detonate the black powder, causing the metal balls to be propelled forward in a conical pattern.
• This design was intended to increase the effectiveness of artillery fire against enemy infantry, as the metal balls would spread out over a wider area, causing more casualties.
• The term "shrapnel" was initially used to refer specifically to Lieutenant-Colonel Shrapnel's patented shell, but it has since become a generic term for any similar type of artillery shell.

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