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gun

 - 11 dictionary results

gun

1  [guhn] noun, verb, gunned, gun⋅ning.
Use gun in a Sentence
–noun
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. British. a member of a shooting party.
7. electron gun.
–verb (used with object)
8. to shoot with a gun (often fol. by down): The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.
9. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.
–verb (used without object)
10. to hunt with a gun.
11. to shoot with a gun.
—Verb phrase
12. gun for,
a. to seek with intent to harm or kill.
b. to seek; try earnestly to obtain: He is gunning for a raise.
—Idioms
13. give the gun, Slang. to put into motion or speed up: We gave the motor the gun and drove off.
14. jump the gun, Slang.
a. to begin a race before the starting signal.
b. to begin prematurely; act too hastily.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
Origin:
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

Related forms:
gunless, adjective

gun

2  [guhn]
–verb
pp. of gin 3 .

gun.

 
gunnery.

gin

2  [jin] noun, verb, ginned, gin⋅ning.
–noun
1. cotton gin.
2. a trap or snare for game.
3. any of various machines employing simple tackle or windlass mechanisms for hoisting.
4. a stationary prime mover having a drive shaft rotated by horizontal beams pulled by horses walking in a circle.
–verb (used with object)
5. to clear (cotton) of seeds with a gin.
6. to snare (game).
Origin:
1150–1200; ME gyn, aph. var. of OF engin engine

Related forms:
ginner, noun

gin

3  [gin]
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object), gan, gun, gin⋅ning. Archaic.
to begin.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME ginnen, OE ginnan, aph. var. of onginnan, beginnen to begin

gin

4  [jin] noun, verb, ginned, gin⋅ning. Cards.
–noun
1. Also called gin rummy. a variety of rummy for two players, in which a player with 10 or fewer points in unmatched cards can end the game by laying down the hand.
2. the winning of such a game by laying down a full set of matched cards, earning the winner a bonus of 20 or 25 points.
–verb (used without object)
3. to win a game in gin by laying down a hand in which all 10 cards are included in sets.
Origin:
1955–60; perh. special use of gin 1

electron gun

 
–noun Electronics, Television.
a device consisting of the cathode ray tube, which emits electrons, and a surrounding electrostatic or electromagnetic apparatus, which controls, focuses, and accelerates the stream of electrons (electron beam).
Also called gun.

Origin:
1920–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gun
gun   (gŭn)   
n.  

  1. A weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is fired at high velocity into a relatively flat trajectory.

  2. A cannon with a long barrel and a relatively low angle of fire.

  3. A portable firearm, such as a rifle or revolver.

  4. A device resembling a firearm or cannon, as in its ability to project something, such as grease, under pressure or at great speed.

  5. A discharge of a firearm or cannon as a signal or salute.

  6. One, such as a hunter, who carries or uses a gun.

    1. A person skilled in the use of a gun.

    2. A professional killer: a hired gun.

  8. The throttle of an engine, as of an automobile.

v.   gunned, gun·ning, guns

v.   tr.

  1. To shoot (a person): a bank robber who was gunned down by the police.

  2. To open the throttle of (an engine) so as to accelerate: gunned the engine and sped off.

  3. Maine To hunt (game).

v.   intr.
To hunt with a gun.
Phrasal Verb(s):
gun for

  1. To pursue relentlessly so as to overcome or destroy.

  2. To go after in earnest; set out to obtain: gunning for a promotion.


Idiom(s):
go great gunsTo proceed or perform with great speed, skill, or success.

Idiom(s):
hold a gun to (someone's) headTo put pressure on someone.

Idiom(s):
under the gunUnder great pressure or under threat.

[Middle English gonne, cannon, short for Gunilda, woman's name applied to a siege engine, from Old Norse Gunnhildr, woman's name : gunnr, war; see gwhen- in Indo-European roots + hildr, war.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
electron gun  
The part of a cathode-ray tube that emits a narrow beam of electrons, consisting of a cathode, control grids, and usually a heater. Electrons are emitted from the cathode, which is typically heated by electric current to give the electrons escape energy. The electrons are then focused into a beam by the electric fields of the control grids.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Computing Dictionary

gun jargon
(ITS, from the ":GUN" command) To forcibly terminate a program or job (computer, not career). "Some idiot left a background process running soaking up half the cycles, so I gunned it."
Compare can.
(1995-02-27)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

gun

In addition to the idiom beginning with gun, also see at gunpoint; big cheese (gun); great guns; hired gun; hold a gun to someone's head; jump the gun; smoking gun; son of a bitch (gun); stick to one's guns; under the gun.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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