Shellfire - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Shellfire refers to the continuous firing of explosive shells, typically from artillery or naval guns, during warfare. It describes the intense bombardment that creates loud explosions and widespread destruction on the battlefield.
Definition:
Intense artillery bombardment from exploding shells during warfare.
Synonyms:
bombardment, artillery fire, gunfire, cannonade
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
ceasefire, peace
Common Collocations:
heavy shellfire, constant shellfire, enemy shellfire, under shellfire
Derivatives:
shellfired (rare), shellfiring (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "shellfire" to describe sustained artillery attacks in military contexts; avoid for single explosions or non-combat situations.
Common Phrases:
under heavy shellfire, caught in the shellfire, relentless shellfire
Etymology:
Derived from "shell" (projectile) + "fire," first recorded in the early 20th century during World War I.
Examples:
- 1. The soldiers endured relentless shellfire for days.
- 2. Villages were reduced to rubble by constant shellfire.
- 3. Civilians hid in basements to escape the enemy's shellfire.
- 4. The sound of distant shellfire echoed across the battlefield.