Grenade

(gren-ad'.) [Fr., a small bomb; L. granatum, a pomegranate.] (Mil.) A hollow, spherical case of iron, 21½ ins. in diameter, filled with detonating matter, ignited by means of a fuze, and discharged from a howitzer or mortar. These were originally used by those soldiers who, on account of long service, and distinguished courage in the field, were selected for the duty; hence their name of Grenadiers, first so called in France in 1667, and since borne by picked men who form what is known as the Grenadier Company of a battalion of infantry in most European armies. [s. 425]