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usually uncountable, plural shrapnels
(military, historical) An anti-personnel artillery shell used in World War I which carries a large number of individual bullets close to the target and then ejects them to allow them to continue along the shell's trajectory and strike the target individually.
(military, historical) The bullets from the aforementioned type of artillery shell.
(military) Shot, fragments, or debris thrown out by an exploding shell, bomb or landmine.
(slang) Loose change. quotations
I was waiting in the queue, looking at the board / Wondering whether to have a burger or chips / Or what the shrapnel in my back pocket could afford
2004, “Fit But You Know It”, in Mike Skinner (lyrics), A Grand Don’t Come For Free, performed by The Streets
Debris. examples