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Weapon

 - 3 dictionary results

weap⋅on

  [wep-uhn]
Use Weapon in a Sentence
–noun
1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.
2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim: the deadly weapon of satire.
3. Zoology. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.
–verb (used with object)
4. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons: to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME wepen, OE wǣpen; c. G Waffe, ON vāpn, Goth wēpna (pl.)

Related forms:
weaponed, adjective
weap⋅on⋅less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Weapon
weap·on   (wěp'ən)   
n.  

  1. An instrument of attack or defense in combat, as a gun, missile, or sword.

  2. Zoology A part or organ, such as a claw or stinger, used by an animal in attack or defense.

  3. A means used to defend against or defeat another: Logic was her weapon.

tr.v.   weap·oned, weap·on·ing, weap·ons
To supply with weapons or a weapon; arm.

[Middle English wepen, from Old English wǣpen.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

weapon 
O.E. wæpen "instrument of fighting and defense," from P.Gmc. *wæpnan (cf. O.S. wapan, O.N. vapn, Dan. vaaben, O.Fris. wepin, M.Du. wapen, O.H.G. waffen, Ger. wafen (neut.), waffe (fem.)), from *webno-m, of unknown origin with no cognates outside Gmc.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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