petard

[ pi-tahrd ]

noun

1. an explosive device formerly used in warfare to blow in a door or gate, form a breach in a wall, etc.
2. a kind of firecracker.
3. (initial capital letter) Also called Flying Dustbin. a British spigot mortar of World War II that fired a 40-pound (18-kilogram) finned bomb, designed to destroy pillboxes and other concrete obstacles.

petard

/ pɪˈtɑːd /

noun

1. (formerly) a device containing explosives used to breach a wall, doors, etc
2. hoist with one's own petard
   being the victim of one's own schemes
3. a type of explosive firework

Word History and Origins

Origin of petard¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, equivalent to pet(er) “to break wind” (derivative of pet, from Latin pēditum “a breaking wind,” originally neuter of past participle of pēdere “to break wind”) + -ard noun suffix; -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of petard¹

C16: from French: firework, from péter to break wind, from Latin pēdere

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hoist by / with one's own petard, hurt, ruined, or destroyed by the very device or plot one had intended for another.

Example Sentences

Oh no, like Shakespeare would say, I was hoist with my own petard.

From Ozy