minié ball

noun

min·​ié ball ˈmi-nē- How to pronounce minié ball (audio) ˌmi-nē-ˈā- How to pronounce minié ball (audio)
: a rifle bullet with a conical head used in muzzle-loading firearms

Word History

Etymology

Claude Étienne Minié †1879 French army officer

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of minié ball was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near minié ball

minidress

minié ball

minifer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Minié ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mini%C3%A9%20ball. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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