bombard

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to direct high energy particles or radiation against

   The scientists bombarded the piece of aluminum.

2. 2
   verb

   to address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage

   We bombarded the hero with our questions.

3. 3
   verb

   to throw bombs at or attack with bombs

   The town was bombarded from the sky for many days.

4. 4
   verb

   to cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile

   Has the other country bombarded us yet?

5. 5
   noun

   A medieval primitive cannon, used chiefly in sieges for throwing heavy stone balls.

   They planted in divers places twelve great bombards, wherewith they threw huge stones into the air, which, falling down into the city, might break down the houses.

6. 6
   noun

   A large liquor container made of leather, in the form of a jug or a bottle.

   […] yond same black cloud, yond huge one, / looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor.

7. 7
   noun

   A bombardment.

   With mines and parallels contracts the space; Then bids the battering floats his labors crown And pour their bombard on the shuddering town

8. 8
   verb

   To continuously attack something with bombs, artillery shells or other missiles or projectiles.

   The enemy's stronghold was bombarded for 3 hours straight.

Etymology

From Middle English bombard, from Middle French bombarde (“a bombard, mortar, catapult"; also "a bassoon-like musical instrument”), from Latin bombus (“buzzing; booming”). The modern pronunciation is from modern French bombarde.