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eprouvette
Feb. 26th, 2026 07:28 ameprouvette (ay-proo-VET) - n., a fixed-elevation mortar formerly used to test the strength of gunpowder.
Used from the 17th to mid-19th century -- put in a standard shot and standard charge, and see how far the standard mortar flings it. Also done with small-arms powder with a standard pistol, but the mortar is better known form. From French éprouvette, from éprouver, to test, from Old French esprover, reconstructed Vulgar Latin form *exprobare, from Latin ex- + probare, to try/prove.
---L.
Used from the 17th to mid-19th century -- put in a standard shot and standard charge, and see how far the standard mortar flings it. Also done with small-arms powder with a standard pistol, but the mortar is better known form. From French éprouvette, from éprouver, to test, from Old French esprover, reconstructed Vulgar Latin form *exprobare, from Latin ex- + probare, to try/prove.
---L.
