blunderbuss

views updated May 11 2018

blun·der·buss / ˈbləndərˌbəs/ • n. hist. a short-barreled large-bored gun with a flared muzzle, used at short range. ∎ fig. an action or way of doing something regarded as lacking in subtlety and precision: economists resort too quickly to the blunderbuss of regulation.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

blunderbuss

views updated May 14 2018

blunderbuss short gun with large bore. XVII. alt., by assoc. with BLUNDER, of Du. donderbus, f. donder THUNDER + bus gun (orig. box, tube).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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