TMZ.com Tory Barron 
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A ballista (a large missile-thrower in the form of a crossbow) that defended Windsor Castle in the 14th century was named in Latin Domina Gunilda, or “Lady Gunilda.” Gunilda is an Old Norse name and is a compound of gunnr and hildr, both words meaning “battle.” The English may have learned the name from early Norsemen who knew its etymological significance, or its use by the English may have been a coincidence. However, the use of this name for the Windsor ballista was not an isolated incident. Gonnylyde was the name of a cannon in a 14th century song. Our word gun, which also traces back to the 14th century, is probably a shortening of Gunilda.
Synonyms
Examples of gun in a Sentence
Jason Green, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Just as massage guns made the transition from elite recovery tools to workout essentials, cold-water therapy is no longer just for use by athletes looking to alleviate pain post-exercise, or as a torture device in luxury spas.
—Emily Peck, WIRED, 23 Apr. 2024
While there are some moments of mild violence with laser gun fights and sword duels sprinkled throughout the episodes, there is nothing too graphic.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 23 Apr. 2024
Employees said the woman came into the credit union and demanded money while showing a gun, police say.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2024
What followed was nearly seven years of brutality during which he was beaten, chained to a wall, threatened with death, often had guns held to his head and was kept in solitary confinement for long periods of time.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
An armed man found climbing through someone’s kitchen window ended up hospitalized after the homeowner got a gun of his own and started shooting, according to detectives in Middle Tennessee.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
Vasquez-Lasso was killed after exchanging gunfire with a man who was allegedly chasing a woman down the street with a gun, police said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Investigators never found the gun used in the homicide.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
Thompson kept gunning in the second half — until his services were no longer required in the fourth.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Purdue will be gunning for its first national championship while UConn will be going for their sixth.
—NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
The two hope their trial comes first, but apparently suspect MJJ Productions is gunning for the opposite.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The Sockers are gunning for their 17th indoor soccer title and first since 2022.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Marco’s won’t gun for the spendier upper-tier market.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2024
Her first album since 2020’s Positions, Eternal Sunshine is gunning for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024
This gives Pittsburgh more hope for the victory than if Baltimore was gunning for its own playoff spot.
—Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near gun
Cite this Entry
“Gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gun. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gun
1 of 2 noungun
2 of 2 verb
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