minuteman

• Nom avec deux sens principaux : d'une part, un milicien américain de la guerre d'indépendance des États-Unis, prêt à se battre au premier appel ; d'autre part, un type de système de missile balistique intercontinental, équipé d'ogives nucléaires et placé dans des silos renforcés.

A noun with two primary meanings: first, an American militiaman from the time of the American Revolution who was ready to fight at a minute's notice; second, a type of intercontinental ballistic missile system equipped with nuclear warheads and housed in hardened silos.

nom propre

1. American Revolutionary MilitiamanB2formalamerican

   A member of the American colonial militia who was ready to fight at a minute's notice, especially during the American Revolutionary War.

   Milicien de la guerre d'indépendance américaine

   • The Minutemen were crucial in the early battles of the American Revolution.
   • Paul Revere's ride warned the Minutemen of the British approach.
   • Many Minutemen were farmers who left their fields to fight.

2. Intercontinental Ballistic Missile SystemC1formalamericantechnical

   A U.S. strategic weapon system consisting of intercontinental-range guided missiles, typically equipped with nuclear warheads and stored in hardened underground silos.

   Minuteman (missile balistique intercontinental)

   • The Minuteman III missile is a key component of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
   • Minuteman missiles are dispersed across several states in hardened silos.
   • The development of the Minuteman system began in the late 1950s.