COHORN Meaning and
Definition
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Cohorn (also spelled as coehorn) refers to a type of portable, short-barreled artillery gun first used in the late 17th century. It was named after its inventor, the Dutch engineer Menno van Coehoorn (1641-1704). The cohorn was characterized by its small size and light weight, making it easy to transport and position on the battlefield. Typically, it had a smoothbore muzzle-loading barrel, which was relatively short in length.
The cohorn was designed to fire small explosive shells or grenades. These shells were filled with gunpowder and projectiles such as lead balls or shrapnel. The gun was fired at a relatively low angle, giving it a high trajectory, allowing the shells to be lobbed over defenses such as walls or trenches. The short range and high arc of the cohorn made it particularly effective in siege warfare or during assaults on heavily fortified positions.
Throughout its use, the cohorn underwent various modifications and improvements to enhance its accuracy, range, and ease of use. This included the addition of features like elevation and traverse mechanisms, allowing for better targeting and maneuverability. Over time, however, as more advanced artillery systems were developed, particularly rifled guns with longer ranges and greater accuracy, the cohorn gradually fell out of use.
Today, the term cohorn is typically used in a historical context to describe this specific type of early portable artillery gun.
Common Misspellings for COHORN
- cohon
- cehorn
- xohorn
- vohorn
- dohorn
- cihorn
- ckhorn
- clhorn
- cphorn
- c0horn
- c9horn
- cogorn
- coborn
- conorn
- cojorn
- couorn
- coyorn
- cohirn
- cohkrn
- cohlrn
Etymology of COHORN
The word "Cohorn" is derived from the name of a Dutch military engineer, Menno van Coehoorn (or Coehoorn), who lived from 1641 to 1704. Menno van Coehoorn revolutionized fortification design during the late 17th century. He developed a system of small, easily portable mortars known as "coehorns" or "cohorn mortars" that were used to launch explosive shells. These mortars were characterized by their lightweight and short barrel, making them easier to handle and transport compared to traditional mortars. Over time, the term "cohorn" became associated not only with the mortar but also with the shells used in it.
