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trunnion

1. A cylindrical projection on each side of a piece, whether gun, mortar, or howitzer, serving to support it on the cheeks of the carriage.

2. (Science: engineering) A gudgeon on each side of an oscillating steam cylinder, to support it. It is usually tubular, to convey steam. Trunnion plate, a ring on a cannon next before the trunnions.

Origin: OF. Trognon the stock, stump, or truck of a tree, F. Trognon a core, stalk, fr.tron a trunk, stem. Cf. Trunk.