noun

blunderbuss

blunderbuss

The pirate carried an old blunderbuss.

The pirate carried an old blunderbuss.

A blunderbuss is a short-barreled firearm.

A blunderbuss is a short-barrelled firearm.

an old blunderbuss a historical type of gun The pirate carried an old blunderbuss.

a blunderbuss is ((sth.)) defining the object A blunderbuss is a short-barrelled firearm.

Synonyms: musket, shotgun (modern equivalent)

From Dutch 'donderbus', meaning 'thunder box' or 'thunder gun'. 'Donder' (thunder) was corrupted into 'blunder'.

Think of a clumsy ('blunder') gun that makes a loud 'buss' (like a bang or a loud kiss) sound when fired.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.