gun

Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌn/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
  2. noun large but transportable armament
  3. noun a person who shoots a gun (as regards their ability)

Etymology

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".

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
weapon
Narrower (hyponyms)
breechloader, whaling gun, set gun, air gun, antiaircraft, firearm

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