shot tower

noun

1. a tower from the top of which finely divided streams of molten lead are dropped down a central well, breaking up into spherical drops during their fall to be quenched and hardened in a tank of water at the bottom.

shot tower

noun

1. a building formerly used in the production of shot, in which molten lead was graded and dropped from a great height into water, thus cooling it and forming the shot

Word History and Origins

Origin of shot tower¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Just at this moment, something burst, and I found myself going up at the rate of two steeples and a shot-tower a second.

From Project Gutenberg

She made for the South East, unconsciously guided by the hieratic shot tower of Westminster.

From Project Gutenberg

He also, in 1799, erected a shot-tower, in which patent shot of an approved quality were made.

From Project Gutenberg

That's just this side of where you see the shot-tower, and runs thence four or five blocks to the right.

From Project Gutenberg

The high building, George's patent shot tower, G. Delamotte, del.

From Project Gutenberg