noun
musket
MUS-kit/ˈmʌskɪt/
An old-fashioned long gun loaded through the end of its barrel.
The historical musket has a long wooden stock and metal barrel.
Etymology
“Little fly” also named a sparrow-hawk, either for its size or its speckled appearance in flight. The hawk’s name became a firearm name, following the practice of naming early weapons after animals.
In context
Loaded? I must see. Aye, aye; and powder in the pan;— that’s not good. Best spill it?— wait. I’ll cure myself of this. I’ll hold the musket boldly while I think.
More examples
- The museum displays a musket from the Revolutionary War.
- Soldiers once fought with muskets that took time to reload.
- This musket has a long barrel and a wooden stock.
Forms
musket · muskets
musketeer noun — A soldier armed with a musket.
Similar words
- muzzleloader
- Names any gun loaded through its muzzle, including modern designs.
- rifle
- Specifically has spiral grooves inside its barrel to improve accuracy.