Mil. [f. CASE sb.2 + SHOT.] A collection of small projectiles put up in cases to fire from a cannon; canister shot. Its composition and fashion have changed from time to time. Also, a shrapnel-shell, or spherical iron case containing a number of bullets.
1625–8. Camden’s Hist. Eliz., an. 1601 (R.). A continuall storm … of chain-shot and case-shot.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xiv. 66. A Case is made of two peeces of hollow wood ioyned together like two halfe Cartrages fit to put into the bore of a Peece, and a case shot is any kinde of small Bullets, Nailes, old iron, or the like to put into the case to shoot out of the Ordnances.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), M m b. Case-shot … is formed by putting a great quantity of musket-bullets into a cylindrical tin-box called a canister.
1877. Clery, Min. Tact., xi. 134. Case-shot is serviceable against troops under the same conditions.
