n.
1) to load a ~
2) to fire a ~
3) to brandish; carry; draw; handle a ~
4) to calibrate; zero in a ~
5) to lay down, throw down one's ~s
6) a concealed; deadly ~
7) automatic; defensive; heavy; light; offensive; semiautomatic ~s
8) atomic, nuclear, thermonuclear; conventional ~s
9) ( misc. ) (they entered the building) with drawn ~s/with ~s drawn; the ultimate ~ ('nuclear missiles')