[ar.til.lery] n, pl -ler.ies [ME artillerie, fr. MF, fr. artillier to equip, arm, alter. of OF atillier, fr. (assumed) VL apticulare, fr. L aptare to don, prepare, fit--more at adapt] (15c) 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