Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Gun
Gun
(gŭn)
, Noun.
[OE.
gonne
, gunne
; of uncertain origin; cf. Ir., Gael., & LL. gunna
, W. gum
; possibly (like cannon) fr. L. canna
reed, tube; or abbreviated fr. OF. mangonnel
, E. mangonel
, a machine for hurling stones.] 1.
A weapon which throws or propels a missile to a distance; any firearm or instrument for throwing projectiles, consisting of a tube or barrel closed at one end, in which the projectile is placed, with an explosive charge (such as guncotton or gunpowder) behind, which is ignited by various means. Pistols, rifles, carbines, muskets, and fowling pieces are smaller guns, for hand use, and are called
small arms
. Larger guns are called cannon
, ordnance
, fieldpieces
, carronades
, howitzers
, etc. See these terms in the Vocabulary. As swift as a pellet out of a
When fire is in the powder runne.
gunne
When fire is in the powder runne.
Chaucer.
The word
gun
was in use in England for an engine to cast a thing from a man long before there was any gunpowder found out. Selden.
2.
(Mil.)
A piece of heavy ordnance; in a restricted sense, a cannon.
3.
pl.
(Naut.)
Violent blasts of wind.
☞ Guns are classified, according to their construction or manner of loading as
rifled
or smoothbore
, breech-loading
or muzzle-loading
, cast
or built-up guns
; or according to their use, as field
, mountain
, prairie
, seacoast
, and siege guns
. Webster 1828 Edition
Gun
GUN
,Noun.
GUN
,Verb.
I.