gunning

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gun

(gŭn)

1. A weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is fired at high velocity into a relatively flat trajectory, especially:

a. A portable firearm, such as a rifle or revolver.

b. A cannon with a long barrel and a relatively low angle of fire.

2. A device resembling a firearm or cannon, as in its ability to project something, such as grease or paint, under pressure or at great speed.

3. A discharge of a firearm or cannon as a signal or salute: heard the guns honoring the leader.

4. One who is armed with or skilled in the use of a gun.

5. The throttle of an engine, as of an automobile.

6. guns Slang The biceps muscles of the arms.

v. gunned, gun·ning, guns

v.tr.

1. To shoot (a person): a bank robber who was gunned down by the police.

2. To open the throttle of (an engine) so as to accelerate: gunned the engine and sped off.

v.intr.

To hunt with a gun.

Phrasal Verb:

gun for

1. To plan or take action to harm or destroy (someone).

2. To go after in earnest; set out to obtain: gunning for a promotion.

Idioms:

go great guns

To proceed or perform with great speed, skill, or success.

hold a gun to (someone's) head

To put pressure on someone.

under the gun

Under great pressure or under threat.

[Middle English gonne, cannon, short for Gunilda, woman's name applied to a siege engine, from Old Norse Gunnhildr, woman's name : gunnr, war; see g^when- in Indo-European roots + hildr, war.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

gunning

(ˈɡʌnɪŋ)

1. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) the act or an instance of shooting with guns

2. (Hunting) the art, practice, or act of hunting game with guns

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

References in periodicals archive ?

According to student accounts, Steinhaeuser entered a classroom where he killed two girls (ages 14 and 15), then went from room to room gunning down teachers and other school personnel.