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broadside
[ brawd-sahyd ]
noun
- the whole side of a ship above the water line, from the bow to the quarter.
- Navy.
- all the guns that can be fired from one side of a warship.
- a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a warship.
- any strong or comprehensive attack, as by criticism.
- Also called broadsheet.
- a sheet of paper printed on one or both sides, as for distribution or posting.
- any printed advertising circular.
- any broad surface or side, as of a house.
- Also called broad·side bal·lad [brawd, -sahyd bal-, uh, d]. 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.
adverb
- with the side, especially with the broader side, facing toward a given point or object:
The truck hit the fence broadside.
- in a wide-ranging manner; at random:
to attack the president's policies broadside.
verb (used without object)
- to proceed or go broadside.
- to fire a broadside or broadsides.
verb (used with object)
- to collide with or run into the side of (a vehicle, object, person, etc.):
We got broadsided on the freeway.
- to make concerted verbal attacks on:
The president was broadsided by the opposition.
broadside
/ ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd /
noun
- nautical the entire side of a vessel, from stem to stern and from waterline to rail
- navy
- all the armament fired from one side of a warship
- the simultaneous discharge of such armament
- a strong or abusive verbal or written attack
- Also calledbroadside ballad a ballad or popular song printed on one side of a sheet of paper and sold by hawkers, esp in 16th-century England
- any standard size of paper before cutting or folding
demy broadside
- See broadsheetanother name for broadsheet
- a large flat surface
the broadside of the barn
adverb
- with a broader side facing an object; sideways
the train hit the lorry broadside
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Word History and Origins
Origin of broadside1
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Example Sentences
A broadside advertising them in 1864 emphasized their appeal to “the Democratic Social Circle”—whatever that was.
I'd already drafted a bitter, bilious, bombastic broadside against the right-wing hacks on the Republican Court.
That broadside forced Romney to go a step or two further in defense of his plan than he usually prefers to go.
The government agency backed its broadside against Hope, claiming to have received “indignant protests” over the ad campaign.
One of the swivel guns was fired, and then came a whole broadside, sending its balls hurtling over the crowded deck of the sloop.
In a few minutes more, having got into the position he wished, he raked the enemy from stem to stern with a broadside.
But the privateer wanted prizes more than cannon balls, and went straight on, firing a broadside that did no harm.
Then came a roaring broadside that went splintering through the British hull, doing more damage than all the Guerriere's fire.
When he saw this, Bainbridge wore his ship to give her another broadside, and then down came her flag for good.
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