/brawd"suyd'/ , n., adv., v., broadsided, broadsiding .
n.
1. the whole side of a ship above the water line, from the bow to the quarter.
2. Navy.
a. all the guns that can be fired from one side of a warship.
b. a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a warship.
3. any strong or comprehensive attack, as by criticism.
4. Also called broadsheet .
a. a sheet of paper printed on one or both sides, as for distribution or posting.
b. any printed advertising circular.
5. any broad surface or side, as of a house.
6. Also called broadside ballad . a song, chiefly in 16th- and 17th-century England, written on a topical subject, printed on broadsides, and sung in public, as on a street corner, by a professional balladeer.
adv.
7. with the side, esp. with the broader side, facing toward a given point or object: The truck hit the fence broadside.
8. in a wide-ranging manner; at random: to attack the President's policies broadside.
v.i.
9. to proceed or go broadside.
10. to fire a broadside or broadsides.
v.t.
11. to collide with or run into the side of (a vehicle, object, person, etc.): We got broadsided on the freeway.
12. to make concerted verbal attacks on: The President was broadsided by the opposition.
[ 1565-75; BROAD + SIDE 1 ]