Definition

1. Noun:
   • Large-caliber mounted firearms: Refers to large guns, cannons, or similar projectile-firing weapons, especially those too heavy to be carried by hand and typically mounted on wheels, vehicles, or fixed emplacements.
   • A branch of an army: Refers to the military unit or troops trained to operate such large guns.
   • (Figurative) A forceful means of persuasion: Used metaphorically to describe powerful arguments, tactics, or resources used to persuade or influence.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Large guns):
  • The enemy's artillery bombarded the city for days.
  • Modern artillery is highly accurate and mobile.
• Noun (Military branch):
  • He served in the artillery for five years.
  • The general commanded both the infantry and the artillery.
• Noun (Figurative persuasion):
  • She brought out the big artillery with her final, compelling argument.
  • In the debate, his statistics were his most powerful artillery.

Advanced Usage

• "To bring up/train the artillery (on someone/something)": To use one's most powerful arguments or methods against someone or something.
  • The lawyer trained all his legal artillery on the key witness.
• "Heavy artillery": Literally, the largest and most powerful guns. Figuratively, the most powerful or important resources in an argument or effort.
  • For the final negotiation, they brought in their heavy artillery: the CEO himself.

Variants and Related Words

• Artillerist (n): A soldier who operates artillery; a gunner.
• Artilleryman (n): Another term for a soldier in the artillery.
• Artillery fire (n): The act of firing artillery guns; bombardment.
• Artillery shell (n): The projectile fired by an artillery piece.

Synonyms

• Cannon(s): Large, heavy guns mounted on a carriage or platform.
• Ordnance: Military weapons, ammunition, and equipment, often including artillery.
• Big guns: (Informal) Literal synonym for artillery; also used figuratively.
• Gunnery: The science or practice of using guns, especially large ones.

Related Phrases

• "The artillery of words": A phrase describing the use of powerful or persuasive language as a weapon.
  • His speech was an artillery of words aimed at dismantling the opposition's policy.
• "Artillery duel": A military engagement where opposing forces exchange artillery fire.
  • The battle began with a prolonged artillery duel across the valley.

Noun

1. a means of persuading or arguing
   • he used all his conversational weapons
2. an army unit that uses big guns
3. large but transportable armament