gun
(gŭn)
[Middle English gonne, cannon, short for Gunilda, woman's name applied to a siege engine, from Old Norse Gunnhildr, woman's name, gunnr, war, + hildr, war.]
noun
- A weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is fired at high velocity into a relatively flat trajectory.
- A cannon with a long barrel and a relatively low angle of fire.
- A portable firearm, such as a rifle or revolver.
- A device resembling a firearm or cannon, as in its ability to project something, such as grease, under pressure or at great speed.
- A discharge of a firearm or cannon as a signal or salute.
- One, such as a hunter, who carries or uses a gun.
- A person skilled in the use of a gun.
- A professional killer: a hired gun.
- The throttle of an engine, as of an automobile.
verb: gunned, gun·ning, guns.
transitive verb
- To shoot (a person): a bank robber who was gunned down by the police.
- To open the throttle of (an engine) so as to accelerate: gunned the engine and sped off.
- Maine To hunt (game).
intransitive verb
- To hunt with a gun.
phrasal verbs
- gun for
- To pursue relentlessly so as to overcome or destroy.
- To go after in earnest; set out to obtain: gunning for a promotion.
idioms
- go great guns
- To proceed or perform with great speed, skill, or success.
- hold a gun to (someone's) head
- To put pressure on someone.
- under the gun
- Under great pressure or under threat.
