Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A cannon placed in a ship's stern, pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • And the port stern-chaser spoke with stunning concussion.

    Archive 2008-08-01 Dave Tackett 2008

  • And the port stern-chaser spoke with stunning concussion.

    The Star Pirates Dave Tackett 2008

  • Back-scuttler, bum-jumper, arse king, gentleman of the back door, shit-hunter, gut-fucker, stern-chaser who navigates the windward passage: as though all their street expressions were ultimately without meaning for them.

    At Swim, Two Boys Jamie O’Neill 2002

  • Back-scuttler, bum-jumper, arse king, gentleman of the back door, shit-hunter, gut-fucker, stern-chaser who navigates the windward passage: as though all their street expressions were ultimately without meaning for them.

    At Swim, Two Boys Jamie O’Neill 2002

  • These large prahus are too heavy to pull well, though they carry thirty, forty, and even fifty oars: their armament is one or two six-pounders in the bow, one four-pounder stern-chaser, and a number of swivels, besides musketry, spears, and swords.

    The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido For the Suppression of Piracy Henry Keppel

  • She was a little larger than the _James_ in length and beam, but had carried no armament other than the now damaged stern-chaser.

    The Black Buccaneer 1934

  • No sooner does our old stern-chaser spy her than he slides down to the groun ', an' risin 'up on his hind legs, throws out his chest, an' cocks his eye at her, for all the world like a man when he sees a pretty girl comin 'his way.

    The Drama of the Forests Romance and Adventure Arthur Henry Howard Heming 1905

  • My father casting about, as the chase progressed, to put us on better terms of defence, suggested unlashing this gun and running her aft for a stern-chaser.

    Sir John Constantine Memoirs of His Adventures At Home and Abroad and Particularly in the Island of Corsica: Beginning with the Year 1756 Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

  • So down he went to the cabin, and up he came again to find Mr. Job with his best coat-tails spread, seated on the carriage of the _Pride's_ stern-chaser.

    The White Wolf and Other Fireside Tales Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

  • This action rather alarmed the sailors, who feared that their commander, Lieut. Burrows, whose character was unknown to them, intended to avoid the enemy, and was rigging the long gun for a stern-chaser.

    The Naval History of the United States Volume 2 (of 2) Willis J. Abbot 1898

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