Firearm

Definition

A firearm is a portable weapon that launches one or more projectiles, either through an explosion or other form of combustion.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪərˌɑrm/
• Respelling: FY-er-arm (with "FY" as in "fly," "er" as in "her," and "arm" as in "farm")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪəˌɑːm/
• Respelling: FY-uh-ahm (with "FY" as in "fly," "uh" as in "sofa," and "ahm" as in "calm")

In both dialects, "firearm" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "FY." The pronunciation is similar across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "FY-er-arm" in American English and "FY-uh-ahm" in British English.

Etymology

The word "firearm" is a compound word derived from "fire" and "arm." The term "fire" comes from the Old English "fyr," related to the action of igniting gunpowder, and "arm" comes from the Old French "arme," meaning "weapon." The combination of these terms, first recorded in the early 17th century, refers to a weapon that fires projectiles through the combustion of gunpowder or another explosive.

Derivatives

• Firearms (plural noun)
• Firearm-related (adjective)
• Firearm safety (noun phrase)
• Firearm regulation (noun phrase)
• Firearm license (noun phrase)

Synonyms

• Gun
• Weapon
• Piece

Antonyms

• none

Usage

"Firearm" is used to describe various types of portable guns, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, and other similar weapons. The term is often employed in legal, military, and law enforcement contexts to refer to weapons that are regulated by laws regarding their ownership, usage, and distribution.

Related Terms

• Ammunition: The physical objects fired from firearms.
• Ballistics: The science of projectiles and firearms.
• Rifle: A firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls.
• Pistol: A type of firearm that is handheld and can be operated with one hand.
• Shotgun: A firearm that is typically designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug.

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Weapon for Propelling Projectiles: A firearm is a gun designed to be carried and operated by an individual, using the energy from a confined explosive charge to fire a projectile, typically a bullet or shell.
  
  • Example: The police officer was equipped with a standard-issue firearm for duty.
  ‍
• Categories of Firearms: Includes handguns (such as pistols and revolvers), long guns (such as rifles and shotguns), and automatic weapons.
  • Example: The hunter carried a rifle, a type of long firearm, during the expedition.