Fusillade

Fusillade

A fusillade is the simultaneous and continuous firing of a group of firearms on command. It stems from the French word "fusil", meaning firearm, and "fusiller" meaning to shoot. [http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/fusillade Yahoo! Reference Dictionary, retrieved 29 AUG 2007]

In the context of military tactics, the term is generally used to refer to a type of organized and concentrated gunfire from a military unit armed with small arms, and initiated by a command from a commanding officer. The term can also be used as a verb, as in "to fusillade an enemy position". Suppressing fire (done in conjunction with fire and movement) is often in the form of a fusillade.

Related Terms

A salvo or broadside refers to the simultaneous fire of naval artillery. A barrage or cannonade refers to a land-based artillery strike. The term volley indicates a "singular" simultaneous discharge of a group of small arms, which is then followed by a short interval for reloading. The command to fire is re-issued before each individual volley to preserve organization. This was commonly used during the age of musketry and is still currently used in the form of the 3-volley salute.

In non-military contexts, a fusillade is used to mean a sudden flurry or outburst of activity directed at something, such as "a fusillade of questions". [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fusillade Dictionary.com, retrieved 29 AUG 2007]

ee also

volley gun - A firearm which discharges a group of barrels simultaneously.

suppressing fire

salvo

broadside

References


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  • fusillade — [ fyzijad ] n. f. • 1771; de fusiller 1 ♦ Décharge de coups de fusil, et par ext. Combat à coups de fusil. Une fusillade a éclaté. « le crépitement de la fusillade » (France). 2 ♦ Action de fusiller pour exécuter. « Les miliciens et suspects… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • fusillade — [fyo͞o′sə läd΄, fyoo′səlād΄; fyoo′zəläd, fyoo′zəlād] n. [Fr < fusiller, to shoot < fusil: see FUSIL2] 1. a simultaneous or rapid and continuous discharge of many firearms 2. something like this [a fusillade of questions] vt. fusilladed,… …   English World dictionary

  • Fusillade — Fu sil*lade , n. [F. fusillade, cf. It. fucilata. See {Fusil} a firelock.] (Mil.) A simultaneous discharge of firearms. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fusillade — simultaneous discharge of firearms, 1801, from Fr. fusillade, from fusiller to shoot, from fusil musket (see FUSILIER (Cf. fusilier)). As a verb from 1816 …   Etymology dictionary

  • Fusillade — Fu sil*lade , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fusillader}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fusillading}.] To shoot down of shoot at by a simultaneous discharge of firearms. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fusillade — index discharge (shot), onset (assault), salvo Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • fusillade — FUSILLADE: Seule manière de faire taire les Parisiens …   Dictionnaire des idées reçues

  • fusillade — [n] rapid outburst barrage, broadside, burst of fire, hail, salvo, volley; concept 633 …   New thesaurus

  • fusillade — ► NOUN ▪ a series of shots fired at the same time or in rapid succession. ORIGIN French …   English terms dictionary

  • fusillade — noun Etymology: French, from fusiller to shoot, from fusil Date: 1801 1. a. a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession b. something that gives the effect of a fusillade < a fusillade of rocks and bottles > 2. a spirited… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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