Meaning of swivel gun | Babel Free

Definitions

A small cannon attached to a swivel or pivot. It was usually located on a ship's rail so it could have a large range of fire, and could fire anything ranging from small round balls of lead to cannon balls.

Examples

“On this roof a heavy swivel-gun was to be placed to command shipping, while howitzers on each side were to form⟳ a flanking defense in connection with the neighboring towers.”

“The captain came to the break⟳ of the quarter-deck and, perceiving the fun afoot, leaned on the swivel-gun.”

CEFR level