Brass Monkey (Noun)
Meaning
A metal stand that formerly held cannon balls on sailing ships.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The crew had to carefully balance the heavy cannonballs on the brass monkey.
- A brass monkey was a common sight on 18th-century warships, holding cannonballs in neat pyramids.
- In the historic sailing museum, a recreation of a brass monkey displayed intricately stacked cannonballs.
- To prevent damage from incoming cannon fire, sailors would attempt to destroy the brass monkey on enemy ships.
- After the introduction of more efficient methods for storing cannonballs, the brass monkey eventually became obsolete.