I. ˈkanən noun
( plural cannons or cannon )
Etymology: Middle French canon, from Italian cannone, literally, large tube, aug. of canna reed, tube, from Latin, reed — more at cane
1. plural usually cannon
a. : a weapon consisting of a metal tube now usually steel and either cast in one piece or built up from a series of forgings, supported by a carriage or mount, and used for firing projectiles — compare gun
b. : a heavy-caliber automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells
2.
a. also cannon bit : a smooth round horse bit
b. : the straight portion of the mouthpiece of certain bits
3. or can·on : the projecting part of a bell by which it is hung : ear
4. also cannon curl : a cylindrical curl of hair worn in a horizontal position
5. Britain
a. also canon : a carom in billiards and bagatelle
b. : bagatelle played with only three balls and sometimes without cups
c. : a rebound after colliding : carom
6. Britain : a hollow spindle or shaft containing another spindle having an independent motion
7. : the part of the leg where the cannon bone is situated : shank — see horse illustration
8. slang
a. : pickpocket
b. : pistol , revolver
9. : a blackish green that is yellower and deeper than ultramarine green
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from Middle French canonner, from canon
intransitive verb
1. : to discharge cannon
2.
a. Britain : to carom in billiards
b. chiefly Britain : to bump violently so as to rebound : rebound after colliding
transitive verb
1. : cannonade
2. Britain
a. : to cause to rebound by violent collision
b. : to carom into