(b) Megilp. Fairholt.
Gun (gn), n. [OE. gonne, gunne; of uncertain origin; cf. Ir., Gael., &
LL. gunna, W. gum; possibly (like cannon) fr. L. canna reed, tube; or
abbreviated fr. OF. mangonnel, E. mangonel, a machine for hurling
stones.] 1. A weapon which throws or propels a missile to a distance;
any firearm or instrument for throwing projectiles by the explosion of
gunpowder, consisting of a tube or barrel closed at one end, in which
the projectile is placed, with an explosive charge behind, which is
ignited by various means. Muskets, rifles, carbines, and fowling pieces
are smaller guns, for hand use, and are called small arms. Larger guns
are called cannon, ordnance, fieldpieces, carronades, howitzers, etc.
See these terms in the Vocabulary.
As swift as a pellet out of a gunne When fire is in the powder
runne.
Chaucer.
The word gun was in use in England for an engine to cast a thing
from a man long before there was any gunpowder found out.
Selden.