Category:Weapon

Weap"on, n. Etym: [oe. wepen, as. w; akin to os. w, ofries. w, w, d. Wapen, g. waffe, ohg. waffan, wafan, icel. vapn, dan. vaaben, sw. Vapen, goth. w, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.]

1. An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight With; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, Defeating, or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a sword, etc. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 cor. x. 4. They, astonished, all resistance lost, all courage; down their idle Weapons dropped. Milton.

2. Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends against Another; as, argument was his only weapon. "woman's weapons, water Drops." Shak.

3. (bot.)

Defn: a thorn, prickle, or sting with which many plants are Furnished. Concealed weapons. See under concealed. -- weapon salve, a salve which was supposed to cure a wound by being Applied to the weapon that made it. [obs.] Boyle.