artillery
[ ahr-til-uh-ree ]
/ ɑrˈtɪl ə ri /
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noun
mounted projectile-firing guns or missile launchers, mobile or stationary, light or heavy, as distinguished from small arms.
the troops or the branch of an army concerned with the use and service of such weapons.
the science that treats of the use of such weapons.
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Origin of artillery
1350–1400; Middle English artil(le)rie, artelry, art(u)ry armaments, ballistic engines <Anglo-French, Middle French artillerie, equivalent to Old French artill(ier) to equip, arm, alteration, by association with artart1, of atill(i)er to set in order, put on armor (<Vulgar Latin *apticulāre, derivative of Latin aptāre to put on (armor, ornaments, etc.; see adapt); -i- for expected -ei- perhaps by association with atirier;see attire) + -erie-ery
Words nearby artillery
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for artillery
British Dictionary definitions for artillery
artillery
/ (ɑːˈtɪlərɪ) /
noun
guns, cannon, howitzers, mortars, etc, of calibre greater than 20 mm
troops or military units specializing in using such guns
the science dealing with the use of guns
devices for discharging heavy missiles, such as catapults or slings
Word Origin for artillery
C14: from Old French artillerie, from artillier to equip with weapons, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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