gun — ozdic

Definitions

noun

1

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.

They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect.

Well, I've always been progun, you know that. It's... yeah, I think adding more guns into a situation is obviously the way to prevent shooting. I think in a way, if we take the guns away, the shootings may escalate. And I think that's why he's so firm on literally arming everyone. I think if you don't have a gun in your hands... well, let's not find out what that world would be.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

verb

1

To cause to speed up.

He gunned the engine.

2

To offer vigorous support to (a person or cause).

We're all gunning for you.

3

(gunning for something or gunning to do something) make a great effort.

Australian John Landy, one of Bannister’s rivals also gunning to break the four-minute barrier, took more than a second off the Briton’s time in Turku, Finland, a few weeks later.

4

To seek to attack someone; to take aim at someone; used with for.

He's been gunning for you ever since you embarrassed him at the party.

5

To practice fowling or hunting small game; chiefly in participial form: to go gunning.

noun

1

A magsman or street thief.

To discover […] how the honest poor are compelled to hob-and-nob with the “shoful pitcher” and the “gun,” it is necessary to visit the vast nursery-grounds of crime.

Collocations

30

1

(noun.)

ADJ

big, heavy

enemy

The soldiers managed to destroy the enemy gun before it could fire at the village.

replica, toy

anti-aircraft, anti-tank, Bren, field, hand, harpoon, laser, machine, spear, Sten, stun, sub-machine

grease, spray, staple

VERB + GUN

be armed with, carry, have

The security guards at the bank were all armed with guns.

load

She loaded the gun carefully before heading out to the shooting range.

draw, produce, pull (out)

aim, hold, point, raise

The officer pointed her gun at the suspect and ordered him to get down.

man

During the attack, soldiers rushed to man the guns positioned along the fortress wall.

handle, use

fire, shoot sb/sth with

lay down, put down

silence

GUN + VERB

blaze, fire, go off

The hunter's gun went off accidentally while he was climbing over the fence.

shoot sth

The hunter's rifle shoots bullets with great accuracy across the field.

jam

be mounted

The old cannon was mounted on the fortress wall to protect the harbor.

GUN + NOUN

club

control, law

Many countries have introduced tough gun laws to reduce violence in cities.

lobby

The gun lobby successfully prevented stricter weapons regulations from passing in Congress last year.

emplacement, position

attack, battle

crew

barrel

rack

PHRASES

the barrel of a gun

The police officer pointed the barrel of a gun at the suspect during the arrest.

guns and ammunition

The soldiers checked their supplies of guns and ammunition before leaving the camp.

hold a gun on sb, hold a gun to sb's head

The robber held a gun on the store clerk while demanding money from the register.

turn a gun on yourself

After losing everything, he considered turning the gun on himself but called for help instead.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a pedal that controls the throttle valve

noun — large but transportable armament

noun — a professional killer who uses a gun

noun — a person who shoots a gun (as regards their ability)

gunman

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

jump the gun

To begin a race too soon, before the starting gun goes off.

Unperturbed when an overanxious opponent jumped the gun in the women's 60-yd. dash, willowy Wilma Rudolph exploded perfectly from the starting blocks.

run and gun

To move the ball quickly and shoot often.

This team likes to run and gun.

smoking gun

Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.

We have a theory, but we haven't found a smoking gun yet.

big gun

A large artillery gun or one of the largest-caliber naval guns (as on a battleship).

London, Nov. 1: The big guns opened fire on Paris today at mid-day.

give it the gun

To cause a specific vehicle to accelerate; to open the throttle of an engine.

Example Bank

6

01

They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was th

Wiktionary

02

Well, I've always been progun, you know that. It's... yeah, I think adding more guns into a situation is obviously the way to prevent shooting. I think in a way, if we take the guns away, the shooting

Wiktionary

03

Guns were considered improvements of crossbows and catapults.

Wiktionary

04

He gunned the engine.

Wiktionary

05

We're all gunning for you.

Wiktionary

06

Australian John Landy, one of Bannister’s rivals also gunning to break the four-minute barrier, took more than a second off the Briton’s time in Turku, Finland, a few weeks later.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, gun is marked as informal, obsolete, slang. Watch for register when choosing this word.