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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. |
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