Editing Point-blank range (section)

==History==
The term ''point-blank'' dates to the 1570s and is probably of French origin, deriving from {{lang|fr|pointé à blanc}}, "pointed at white". It is thought<ref>{{Cite book |last=Forsyth |first=Mark |title=The etymologicon: A circular stroll through the hidden connections of the English language |publisher=Icon Books Ltd |year=2011 |isbn=9780425260791 |language=English}}</ref> the word ''blanc'' may be used to describe a small white aiming spot formerly at the center of shooting targets. However, since none of the early sources mention a white center target, ''blanc'' may refer to empty space or zero point of elevation when testing range.<ref name="XnXQG">{{Cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/point-blank#etymonline_v_17539 |title=point-blank {{!}} Origin and meaning of point-blank by Online Etymology Dictionary |website=www.etymonline.com |language=en |access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref>

The term originated with the techniques used to aim muzzle-loading [[cannon]]. Their barrels tapered from [[Breech-loading weapon|breech]] to [[muzzle (firearms)|muzzle]], so that when the top of the cannon was held horizontal, its bore actually sat at an elevated angle. This caused the [[projectile]] to rise above the natural line of sight shortly after leaving the muzzle, then drop below it after the apex of its slightly [[parabolic trajectory]] was reached.<ref name="instruction">{{cite book |title=Instruction Upon the Art of Pointing Cannon |author=Unknown |publisher=J. and G. S. Gideon |year=1848 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NdqRRblXkkC&q=%22point+blank+range%22+cannon&pg=PA12}}</ref>

By repeatedly firing a given projectile with the same charge, the point where the shot fell below the bottom of the bore could be measured. This distance was considered the ''point-blank range'': any target within it required the gun to be depressed; any beyond it required elevation, up to the ''angle of greatest range'' at somewhat before 45 degrees.<ref name="instruction" />

Various cannon of the 19th century had point-blank ranges from {{convert|250|yd|m}} (12&nbsp;lb [[howitzer]], {{convert|0.595|lb|abbr=on}} powder charge) to nearly {{convert|1075|yd|m}} (30&nbsp;lb [[carronade]], solid shot, {{convert|3.53|lb|abbr=on}} powder charge).<ref name="instruction" />