UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈgʌn/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/gʌn/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(gun)
gun1(gun),USA pronunciationn., v.,gunned, gun•ning. n.
a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.
any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.
a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.
any device for shooting something under pressure:a paint gun; a staple gun.
Slang Termsa person whose profession is killing; professional killer:a gangland gun.
British Termsa member of a shooting party.
Electronics, Radio and TelevisionSee electron gun.
give the gun, [Slang.]to put into motion or speed up:We gave the motor the gun and drove off.
jump the gun, [Slang.]
Idiomsto begin a race before the starting signal.
to begin prematurely; act too hastily.
Idiomsspike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan:Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.
Idiomsstick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm:They stuck to their guns and refused to submit.Also, stand by one's guns.
Idiomsunder the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem:We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.
v.t.
to shoot with a gun (often fol. by down):The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.
to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.
v.i.
to hunt with a gun.
to shoot with a gun.
gun for:
to seek with intent to harm or kill.
to seek; try earnestly to obtain:He is gunning for a raise.
1300–50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name
a weapon with a metallic tube or barrel from which a missile is discharged, usually by force of an explosion. It may be portable or mounted. In a military context the term applies specifically to a flat-trajectory artillery piece
(as modifier): a gun barrel
the firing of a gun as a salute or signal, as in military ceremonial
a member of or a place in a shooting party or syndicate
any device used to project something under pressure: a grease gun, a spray gun
USslangan armed criminal; gunman
AustralNZslang
an expert
(as modifier): a gun shearer, a gun batter
go great guns ⇒ slangto act or function with great speed, intensity, etc
jump the gun, beat the gun ⇒
(of a runner, etc) to set off before the starting signal is given
Winea clear, colorless alcoholic liquor distilled with juniper berries and other flavorings: [uncountable]bought some gin.[countable]bought a gin and tonic.
Middle English ginnen, Old English ginnan, aphetic variant of onginnan, beginnen to begin 1150–1200
gin4(jin),USA pronunciationn., v.,ginned, gin•ning.[Cards.] n.
GamesAlso called gin rummy. a variety of rummy for two players, in which a player with 10 or fewer points in unmatched cards can end the game by laying down the hand.
Gamesthe winning of such a game by laying down a full set of matched cards, earning the winner a bonus of 20 or 25 points.
v.i.
Gamesto win a game in gin by laying down a hand in which all 10 cards are included in sets.
perh. special use of gin1 1955–60
gin5(gin),USA pronunciationconj.[Chiefly Scot. and Southern Appalachian.]
Dialect Terms, Scottish Termsif; whether.
1665–75; variously explained as sense development of gien given (see gie, -en3); as contraction of gifif + an2 (compare iffen); or as aphetic form of again