I. ˈwepən, dial ˈwēp- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English wepen, wepne, from Old English wǣpen; akin to Old High German wāffan weapon, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wepna (plural) weapons
1. : an instrument of offensive or defensive combat : something to fight with : something (as a club, sword, gun, or grenade) used in destroying, defeating, or physically injuring an enemy
the rifle is the basic infantry weapon — M.M.Johnson
2. : an animal's claw, teeth, talon, spur, or beak used as a means of attack ; especially : the spur of a gamecock
3. : a means of contending against another
has codes of honor, rules, beliefs, and other weapons to protect him on the trail — Donn Byrne
a politician who uses character assassination as a political weapon — Croswell Bowen
sarcasm was his favorite weapon
Synonyms:
weapon and arm indicate something used in combat as an instrument or means of attack or defense. weapon applies to anything used or usable in injuring, destroying, or defeating an enemy or opponent. arm , usually in the plural, signifies an instrument or object designed for or used in fighting
a large yearly appropriation for arms
but is often restricted to the class of weapons wielded by the hand and arm (as swords, pistols, or rifles)
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English wepnen, from Old English wǣpnian, from wǣpen weapon
: arm
a folk in a cold climate … crudely weaponed — Time