pendulum gun

noun

: a mechanism for obtaining certain ballistic data for given shotshell loadings that consists of a tube fitted with a breech and a firing mechanism and moving freely on its four supporting wires and that by means of attached and coordinated instruments determines velocity, time required for shot charge to pass through barrel, chamber pressure, energy of recoil, and shot pattern

Word History

Etymology

so called from its motion when fired

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near pendulum gun

Cite this Entry

“Pendulum gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulum%20gun. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!