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—gunless, adj./gun/, n., v., gunned, gunning.n.1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.2. any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.3. a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.4. any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun.5. Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun.6. Brit. a member of a shooting party.7. See electron gun.8. give the gun, Slang. to put into motion or speed up: We gave the motor the gun and drove off.9. jump the gun, Slang.a. to begin a race before the starting signal.b. to begin prematurely; act too hastily.10. spike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan: Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.11. stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm: They stuck to their guns and refused to submit. Also, stand by one's guns.12. under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem: We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.v.t.13. to shoot with a gun (often fol. by down): The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.14. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.v.i.15. to hunt with a gun.16. to shoot with a gun.17. gun for,a. to seek with intent to harm or kill.b. to seek; try earnestly to obtain: He is gunning for a raise.[1300-50; ME gunne, gonne, appar. short for AL Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; cf. ON Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name]gun2/gun/, v.pp. of gin3.
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IWeapon consisting essentially of a metal tube from which a missile or projectile is shot by the force of exploding gunpowder or some other propellant.The term is often limited today to the so-called big guns, cannon larger than a howitzer or mortar. It may also be used to refer to military small arms such as the rifle, machine gun, and pistol, as well as to nonmilitary firearms such as the shotgun. Though the Chinese used gunpowder in warfare from the 9th century, guns were not developed until the Europeans acquired gunpowder in the 13th century. The earliest guns (с 1327) resembled old-fashioned soda bottles; they apparently were fired by applying a red-hot wire to a touchhole drilled through the top. Separating the barrel and the powder chamber resulted in breechloaders, which continued to be used in naval swivel guns and fortress wallpieces well into the 17th century. Small arms, as distinguished from hand cannon, did not exist until the development of the matchlock in the 15th century. See also flintlock, wheel lock.II(as used in expressions)Machine Gun KellyTaewon gun* * *
▪ weaponweapon consisting essentially of a metal tube from which a missile or projectile is shot by the force of exploding gunpowder or some other propellant. In military science, the term is often limited to cannon larger than a howitzer or mortar, although these latter two types, like all tube-fired artillery pieces, also fall within the general definition of a gun. Guns also include such military small arms as the musket, rifle, machine gun, and pistol, as well as such nonmilitary sport firearms as the shotgun. Bazookas and other rocket launchers, which launch self-propelled projectiles, are not guns, though they perform many of the same functions.Guns of all types are treated in the Macropaedia article War, Technology of (military technology).* * *
Universalium. 2010.
