[f. WARNING vbl. sb.1 and ppl. a. + PIECE sb.]
1. A signal-gun discharged to give notification of arrival, danger, time, etc.
c. 1592. Marlowe, Jew of Malta, V. 2322. A warning-peece shall be shot off from the Tower, To giue thee knowledge when to cut the cord, And fire the house.
1596. Marbeck, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1598), I. 608. There it pleased the Lords to call a select Councell, which was alwayes done by hanging out of a flagge of the armes of England, and shooting off of a great warning peece.
1607. Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, I. i. 25. As great Seamen … (comming neere their Hauen) Are glad to giue a warning peece.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 21. We gaue them a-sterne, two Gunnes as warning peeces of great danger.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Evening-gun, the warning-piece, after the firing of which the sentries challenge.
b. transf. and fig.
In 17th c. often used in titles of books.
1615. J. H. (title), This Worlds Folly, or a Warning-Peece Discharged upon the Wickednesse thereof.
1650. Hubbert, Pill Formality, 1. This glorious Apostle…, writes unto Timothy that it might be made known to the Churches as a warning peece to future ages.
1660. Bonde, Scut. Reg., 379. Oh therefore let our distracted England be a warning-piece to all Nations, that they never attempt to Try and Judge their King, for what cause soever.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 144, ¶ 1. I shall make this Paper rather a Warning-piece to give notice where the Danger is.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 140. I am a warning-piece … to all rash … pilots.
1831. Scott, Quentin D., Introd. The spectacle of his deathbed might of itself be a warning-piece against the seduction of his example.
2. Clock-making. The piece that ‘warns’ that the clock is about to strike.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech.
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 284. The last wheel … carries a pin which butts on the warning piece during the interval between warning and striking.
