Cannonball
/ˈkæn.ən.bɔːl/noun
A large metal projectile fired from a cannon.
Did you know?The first English use of cannonball is tied to early gunpowder warfare, when the language of artillery quickly turned ordinary words into military terms.
Etymological Timeline
14th Century
Italian
cannone
“A large tube or gun; literally a big reed or tube”
14th Century
Late Latin
canna
“A reed, cane, or hollow stalk”
14th Century
Old French
balla
“A ball or rounded object”
15th Century
English
cannon balle
“A ball fired from a cannon”
Modern English
English
cannonball
“A heavy spherical projectile fired from a cannon”