ramrod

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : tige pour enfoncer la charge dans une arme à feu se chargeant par la bouche ; surveillant sévère et exigeant ; ou tige pour nettoyer le canon d'une arme à feu.

A noun with multiple meanings: a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm; a harshly demanding overseer; or a rod used to clean the barrel of a firearm.

1. Gun loading rodC1formaltechnical

   A rod used to push the charge (powder and shot) down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm.

   Baguette de chargement

   • The soldier used a ramrod to load his musket.
   • He cleaned the ramrod after firing the cannon.
   • The ramrod was essential for muzzle-loading weapons.

   Synonymesrammer

2. Strict overseerC1informal

   A person who is extremely strict, demanding, and uncompromising in their supervision or management.

   Surveillant impitoyable

   • The new manager is a real ramrod; he expects perfection every day.
   • She ran the department like a ramrod, tolerating no mistakes.
   • The drill sergeant was a ramrod, pushing the recruits to their limits.

   Synonymesdisciplinarianmartinetslave driversticklertaskmaster

3. Cleaning rodC1formaltechnical

   A rod used to clean the barrel of a firearm by pushing a cloth or brush through it.

   baguette de nettoyage

   • He attached a patch to the ramrod to clean the rifle barrel.
   • The ramrod is stored under the barrel of the gun.
   • After shooting, he used the ramrod to remove residue from the barrel.