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 missiles
2 a : large bore crew-served mounted firearms (as guns, howitzers, and rockets) : ordnance b : a branch of an army armed with artillery
3 : means of impressing, arguing, or persuading