/ahr til"euh ree/ , n.
1. mounted projectile-firing guns or missile launchers, mobile or stationary, light or heavy, as distinguished from small arms.
2. the troops or the branch of an army concerned with the use and service of such weapons.
3. the science that treats of the use of such weapons.
[ 1350-1400; ME artil ( le ) rie, artelry, art ( u ) ry armaments, ballistic engines artillerie, equiv. to OF artill ( ier ) to equip, arm, alter., by assoc. with art ART 1 , of atill ( i ) er to set in order, put on armor ( apticulare, deriv. of L aptare to put on (armor, ornaments, etc.; see ADAPT); -i- for expected -ei- perh. by assoc. with atirier; see ATTIRE) + -erie -ERY ]