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obus

shell

noun oh-BÜ Rare
People & Society Military

Origin: German 'Haubitze' (howitzer)

Also means

artillery shell

Usage Note

Obus refers specifically to an artillery shell or mortar round, not a bullet (balle) or bomb (bombe). The word is invariable — the plural is also des obus (the final s is silent in both singular and plural). Commonly encountered in historical and military contexts.

Examples

"Un obus a détruit le pont."

Natural Translation

A shell destroyed the bridge.

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