weapon

English

/ˈwɛ.pən/

noun
Definitions
  • An instrument of attack or defense in combat or hunting, e.g. most guns, missiles, or swords.
  • An instrument or other means of harming or exerting control over another.
  • (informal) A tool of any kind.
  • (Scotland) An idiot, an oaf, a fool, a tool; a contemptible or incompetent person.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wepen inherited from Old English wǣpn (weapon) inherited from Proto-Germanic *wēpną (weapon) derived from Proto-Indo-European *wēbnom.

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*wēbnom

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms