star shell

a shell that bursts in the air and produces a bright light to illuminate enemy positions.

Origin of star shell

First recorded in 1875–80

I made myself known, but the two men moved off and fired a star-shell in my direction.

Verdun Argonne-Metz 1914-1918 |Anonymous
Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him crouching beside his prisoner.

Army Boys on the Firing Line |Homer Randall
Now and then a star-shell looped across the spongy sky, casting a lurid illumination over the ghastly field.

The Valley of Vision |Henry Van Dyke
The star-shell had the same missions as other flares, but it was projected by a charge of powder from a gun.

Artificial Light |M. Luckiesh

Just then a star-shell burst above us, turning the trench into day.

Italy at War and the Allies in the West |E. Alexander Powell

star shell

an artillery shell containing a flare or other illuminant: often containing a parachute to prolong the descent of the illuminating material