Naut. and Mil. Also langridge. [Of unknown origin.] Case-shot loaded with pieces of iron of irregular shape, formerly used in naval warfare to damage the rigging and sails of the enemy.
1747. P. Collas, Lett., 28 June, in Maryland Gaz., 7 Oct., 3/1. Thus did we engage … some times with Stern-Chases and some times with Broadsides and Swivels, of which I had ten, and ten Carriage, with Plenty of small Arms, Partridge and Langrage, &c. which we made use of during the Engagement.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Langrel, or langrage, a particular kind of shot, formed of bolts, nails, bars, or other pieces of iron tied together, and forming a sort of cylinder, which corresponds with the bore of the cannon.
1796. Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), II. 146. It is well known that English ships of war are furnished with no such ammunition as langrage.
1839. W. O. Manning, Law Nations, IV. vi. (1875), 203. Except the use of langridge (mitraille).
1862. Beveridge, Hist. India, I. III. xi. 637. A twenty-four pounder, double loaded with langrage.
attrib. 1781. Justamond, Priv. Life Lewis XV., III. 385. The gunners … could not stand the langrage-shot.
1813. Southey, Nelson, v. (Rtldg.), 128. Nelson received a severe wound on the head from a piece of langridge shot.
