weapon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
    arm; weapon system.
    • he was licensed to carry a weapon
  2. noun a means of persuading or arguing
    artillery.
    • he used all his conversational weapons

WordNet

Weap"on noun
Etymology
OE. wepen, AS. wpen; akin to OS. wpan, OFries. wpin, wpen, D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan, wafan, Icel. vapn, Dan. vaaben, Sw. vapen, Goth. wpna, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.
Definitions
  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.) A thorn, prickle, or sting with which many plants are furnished.

Webster 1913