Broadside
/ˈbrɔːd.saɪd/noun
The side of a ship; a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side, or a forceful printed attack or speech.
Did you know?The printing sense of broadside came from large sheets printed on one side only, but the word’s older naval sense made it a perfect metaphor for a sudden, overwhelming blast of force.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
brād
“wide, spacious”
Old English
OE
sīde
“side, flank, region”
14th Century
English
broad side
“the wide side or flank of something, especially a ship”
17th Century
English
broadside
“a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a ship; also a large printed sheet”
18th-19th Century
English
broadside
“a forceful attack in words or print”