Crossword clues for falconet
falconet
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Falconet \Fal"co*net\, n. [Dim. of falcon: cf. F. fauconneau, LL. falconeta, properly, a young falcon.]
One of the smaller cannon used in the 15th century and later.
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(Zo["o]l.)
One of several very small Asiatic falcons of the genus Microhierax.
One of a group of Australian birds of the genus Falcunculus, resembling shrikes and titmice.
Wiktionary
n. 1 A small or young falcon 2 Any of various small, tropical Asian falcons of the genus ''Microhierax'' found in Southeast Asia. 3 (context military historical English) A light cannon developed in the late 15th century and decorated with an image of a falcon.
Wikipedia
Falconet can refer to:
- Tiny birds of prey, they are
- typical falconets (genus Microhierax)
- Spot-winged falconet (genus Spiziapteryx)
- Etienne Maurice Falconet (1716–1791), the French sculptor
- Falconet (novel), an unfinished novel by Benjamin Disraeli
- Falconet (cannon), a type of cannon
- Flight Refuelling Falconet, a target drone aircraft
The falconet or falcon was a light cannon developed in the late 15th century. During the Middle Ages guns were decorated with engravings of reptiles, birds or beasts depending on their size. For example, a culverin would often feature snakes, as the handles on the early cannons were often decorated to resemble serpents. The falconet fired small yet lethal shot of similar weight and size to a bird of prey, and so was decorated with a falcon. Similarly, the musket was associated with the sparrowhawk.
Its barrel was approximately long, had a caliber of and weighed ~. The falconet used of black powder to fire a round shot approximately . They could also be used to fire grapeshot.
The falconet resembled an oversized matchlock musket with two wheels attached to improve mobility. In 1620s Germany a breechloading version was invented, seeing action in the Thirty Years War. Many falconets were in use during the English Civil War as they were lighter and cheaper than the culverins, sakers and minions. During times of unrest they were used by the nobility to defend their grand houses.
Though developed for use on land, the falconet gained naval prominence during the 17th century for the defence of light vessels; for example, on small boats for boarding manoeuvres. They were heavily used in the American Revolutionary War by both the British and the Colonists.
Usage examples of "falconet".
Shannon Island he had found the schooner which Falconet had instructed to meet him in June.
Time was of the essence of the business, so the route must be the inland ice, the road Falconet had himself travelled, for the coast road would mean a detour round two sides of a triangle.
Their plan was to find Falconet somewhere in the north of Peary Land and bring him down the coast by the chain of depots, before the sun disappeared.
Nine years before Ejnar Mikkelsen had covered most of the ground in a couple of months, and Nelles, who was the local expert, believed that, if Falconet was alive, he could be found and brought back before the close of September.
Gundbjorns Fjord, barring accidents, and whether or not they found Falconet was in the lap of the gods.
Even if Falconet was dead he must reach him and make certain of his fate.
If I find Falconet you will only be another mouth to feed, and if I fail you will be another victim.
I put you on your honour to take no more food than you need from the caches, for Falconet and I must depend on them on our way south.
He must find Falconet, alive or dead, for he could not have missed him on the road.
It fell on them, killing Paulsen, killing or maiming all the dogs, and leaving Falconet himself unconscious under a corner of the avalanche.
As he watched the figure in its restless sleep, looking for all the world like some peasant victim of a Russian famine, he could not refrain from smiling, for he remembered that this was Jim Falconet, who had once captained a famous polo team on their visit to England, and was believed to be the third or fourth richest man in the world.
The arm, too, set well, and presently Falconet was able to move more comfortably.
But the festival was a tragic failure, for the cigar made Falconet sick, and, when Adam tried to cheer him with talk about the world they had left, he cursed and wept and went sulking to his sleeping-bag.
Through all his outbreaks and spasms he nursed Falconet with patient tenderness.
Independence Fjord and could get warmth and light again, Falconet insisted that they should keep camp for two days to give Adam a chance to recover.