PETARD

, a military engine, somewhat resembling in shape a high-crowned hat; serving sormerly to break down gates, barricades, draw-bridges, or the like works intended to be surprised. It is about 8 or 9 inches wide, and weighs from 55 to 70 pounds. Its use was chiefly in a clandestine or private attack, to break down the gates &c. It has also been used in countermines, to break through the enemies galleries, and give vent to their mines: but the use of Petards is now discontinued.——Their invention is ascribed to the French Hugonots in the year 1579. Their most signal exploit was the taking the city Cahors by means of them, as we are told by d'Aubigné.