Petard
noun
A small bomb used for blowing up gates and walls when breaching fortifications.
The soldiers used a petard to breach the castle's main gate.
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In idiomatic expressions referring to being harmed by the device that you intended to use to harm others.
His plan to embarrass his coworker backfired and he was hoist with his own petard.
Often appears as...
- hoist with one's own petard
- fall into one's own petard
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Idiomatic,Literary
noun
A small bomb used for blowing up gates and walls when breaching fortifications.
The soldiers used a petard to breach the castle's main gate.
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In idiomatic expressions referring to being harmed by the device that you intended to use to harm others.
His plan to embarrass his coworker backfired and he was hoist with his own petard.
Often appears as...
- hoist with one's own petard
- fall into one's own petard
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Idiomatic,Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally a military term from the era of castles and sieges, now rarely used except in history.
Medieval engineers were skilled at crafting petards for battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Archaic Term
The word 'petard' is considered old-fashioned and is mostly found in historical texts or narratives.
The tale described the sappers planting a petard beneath the fortress walls.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Description
Imagine a petard as a small, portable bomb, like a hand grenade from the past.
A petard's explosive force was enough to damage heavy wooden gates.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally a military term from the era of castles and sieges, now rarely used except in history.
Medieval engineers were skilled at crafting petards for battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Archaic Term
The word 'petard' is considered old-fashioned and is mostly found in historical texts or narratives.
The tale described the sappers planting a petard beneath the fortress walls.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Description
Imagine a petard as a small, portable bomb, like a hand grenade from the past.
A petard's explosive force was enough to damage heavy wooden gates.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally a military term from the era of castles and sieges, now rarely used except in history.
Medieval engineers were skilled at crafting petards for battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Archaic Term
The word 'petard' is considered old-fashioned and is mostly found in historical texts or narratives.
The tale described the sappers planting a petard beneath the fortress walls.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Description
Imagine a petard as a small, portable bomb, like a hand grenade from the past.
A petard's explosive force was enough to damage heavy wooden gates.
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Video examples
Animation: How Three Men...
unfold as the enemy crew start to abandon ship no meu boat could contain vital intelligence which could be utilized by the Allies Chani fasten the first leftenant on petard an Able Seaman
Video examples
Animation: How Three Men...
unfold as the enemy crew start to abandon ship no meu boat could contain vital intelligence which could be utilized by the Allies Chani fasten the first leftenant on petard an Able Seaman
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
David A. Stewart
English Musician
Most people who get into power in the western world start with great intentions, but slowly they all become entrapped and hung by their own petard.
Quote examples
Maxwell Caulfield
English Actor
I'm always playing these mendacious characters who end up hoisting themselves by their own petard.
Quote examples
David A. Stewart
English Musician
Most people who get into power in the western world start with great intentions, but slowly they all become entrapped and hung by their own petard.
Quote examples
Maxwell Caulfield
English Actor
I'm always playing these mendacious characters who end up hoisting themselves by their own petard.
Example 1 of 2
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