■ noun
1》 a weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets or shells are propelled by explosive force.
↘ N. Amer. a ~man: a hired ~.
2》 a device for discharging something (e.g. grease) in a required direction.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ning , ~ned )
1》 ( ~ someone down ) shoot someone with a ~.
2》 ( be ~ning for ) be aggressively pursuing or acting against.
↘be striving for determinedly.
3》 informal cause (an engine) to race.
↘accelerate (a vehicle).
Phrases
go great ~s informal proceed vigorously or successfully.
jump the ~ informal act before the appropriate time.
stick to one's ~s informal refuse to compromise or change, despite criticism.
top ~ informal the most important person in an organization or sphere.
under the ~ N. Amer. informal under great pressure.
Derivatives
~less adjective
-~ned adjective
Origin
ME ~ne , gonne , perh. from a familiar form of the Scand. name Gunnhildr , from ~nr + hildr , both meaning 'war'.