The Collaborative International Dictionary
Weapon \Weap"on\ (w[e^]p"[u^]n; 277), n. [OE. wepen, AS. w[=ae]pen; akin to OS. w[=a]pan, OFries. w[=e]pin, w[=e]pen, D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan, w[=a]fan, Icel. v[=a]pn, Dan. vaaben, Sw. vapen, Goth. w[=e]pna, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.]
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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. Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends against another; as, argument was his only weapon. ``Woman's weapons, water drops.''
--Shak.-
(Bot.) 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.
Usage examples of "weapon salve".
Ah, dear sir, the debate over what we English call the Weapon Salve is full of controversy.