PYROTECHNY, in military matters, the doctrine of artificial fireworks, and firearms, teaching the structure and service, both of those used in war, for the attacking of fortifications, &c. as cannons, bombs, grenadoes, gunpowder, wildfire, &c. and those made for diversion, as serpents, St. Catherine’s wheel, rockets, &c.
PYROTECHNIC, of or appertaining to pyrotechny.
Q.
| QUADRANGLE, | - | |
| QUADRANGULAR, |
a square figure having four right angles.
QUADRANT, in gunnery, an instrument made of brass or wood, divided into degrees, and each degree into 10 parts, to lay guns or mortars to any angle of elevation.
The common sort is that whose radii project the quadrant about 12 inches, and whose plummet suspends in its centre, by means of a fine piece of silk; so that, when the long end is introduced into the piece, the plummet shows its elevation.
The best sort has a spiral level fixed to a brass radius; so that, when the long end is introduced into the piece, this radius is turned about its centre till it is level: then its end shews the angle of elevation, or the inclination from the horizon; whereas the first shows that angle from the vertical. See [Level].
QUADRAT, or to quadrat a gun, is to see it duly placed on its carriage, and that the wheels be of an equal height.
QUADRATE, a square, having four equal and parallel sides.