stern chaser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “stern chaser” mean?
A gun mounted on a ship to fire backward, toward a pursuing enemy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A gun mounted on a ship to fire backward, toward a pursuing enemy.
A cannon historically placed at the stern (rear) of a sailing warship or merchant vessel, designed to fire directly aft at pursuing ships. The term also refers to the ship itself that carries such a gun and is actively chasing from behind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically in historical contexts.
Connotations
Evokes the era of naval warfare under sail. Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, equally obscure in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “stern chaser” in a Sentence
The [ship/brig/frigate] mounted a stern chaser.A stern chaser was fired from the [ship].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical and maritime studies texts discussing naval tactics and ship design.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in historical naval terminology, museum descriptions, and literature on sailing warships.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stern chaser”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stern chaser”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stern chaser”
- Using it to refer to any rear-facing object or person (e.g., a car).
- Confusing it with 'bow chaser' (a gun at the front).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A bow chaser is mounted at the front (bow) of a ship to fire forward, typically when chasing another vessel. A stern chaser fires backward from the rear (stern).
Yes, by extension it can refer to a ship that is equipped with such a gun and is itself being chased, but the primary meaning is the artillery piece itself.
No. It is a historical term from the age of sail. Modern warships have different armaments and tactical considerations.
To defend itself when fleeing from a faster or more powerful enemy. It allowed a retreating ship to damage or slow down its pursuer without turning to broadside.
A gun mounted on a ship to fire backward, toward a pursuing enemy.
Stern chaser is usually historical / technical in register.
Stern chaser: in British English it is pronounced /stɜːn ˈtʃeɪsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɝːn ˈtʃeɪsɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ship being CHASED from the STERN; it turns to fire a 'chaser' gun backward to fend off the pursuer.
Conceptual Metaphor
A weapon as a 'chaser' of a pursuer, inverting the direction of pursuit.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'stern chaser' primarily?