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Added 7 October 2026

gun

/ˈɡʌn/ symbol

In Latin: sclopetum Wiktionary

symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about gun at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

ISO 639-3 language code for Mbya Guarani.

noun

A device for shooting projectiles or ditto (a shooter), functioning through stored energy: a firearm, cannon, harpoon gun/spear gun, raygun, etc, not a bow and arrow, or slingshot.
Guns were considered improvements of crossbows and catapults.
A very portable, short firearm, for hand use, which fires bullets or projectiles, such as a handgun, revolver, pistol, or Derringer.
A less portable, long firearm that fires bullets or projectiles; a rifle, either manual, automatic or semi-automatic; a flintlock, musket or shotgun.

verb

To shoot with a gun.
To cause to speed up.
He gunned the engine.
To offer vigorous support to (a person or cause).
We're all gunning for you.

noun

A magsman or street thief.

Origin

From Middle English gunne, gonne, possibly from Gunnhild, a female given name formerly used as a nickname for engines of war (compare Nordic Gunn, a female name meaning “battle”). The name is composed of the Norse elements gunnr and hildr, both meaning "battle".

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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