Main Entry:

ar·til·lery

Pronunciation:

\är-ˈti-lər-ē, -ˈtil-rē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ar·til·ler·ies

Etymology:

Middle English artillerie, from Anglo-French, from artiller to equip, arm, alteration of Old French atillier, from Vulgar Latin *apticulare, from Latin aptare to don, prepare, fit — more at adapt

Date:

15th century

1: weapons (as bows, slings, and catapults) for discharging missiles2 a: large bore crew-served mounted firearms (as guns, howitzers, and rockets) : ordnance b: a branch of an army armed with artillery3: means of impressing, arguing, or persuading