Present participle of broadside; attacking with heavy cannon fire from the side, or subjecting someone to sudden, overwhelming criticism.
From 'broadside' + '-ing' (Old English -ung, forming gerunds and participles). This form emphasizes the ongoing or repeated action of delivering broadsides.
In naval combat, the moment your ship was broadside-on to an enemy's guns was the most dangerous—you were presenting the maximum target while unable to return fire effectively. A few seconds could sink you.
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