Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAN'NON, n. [Fr. canon; Arm. canon or canol; D. kanon; G. kanone; Sp. cañon; Port. canham; It. cannone. Probably from L. canna, a tube. See Cane.]

A large military engine for throwing balls, and other instruments of death, by the force of gunpowder. Guns of this kind are made of iron or brass, and of different sizes, carrying balls from three or four pounds, to forty-eight pounds weight. In some countries, they have been made of much larger size. The smaller guns of this size are called field-pieces.