fire-arm

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A portable gun: "firearm" refers to a weapon, typically a gun or pistol, that can be carried and used by an individual. It is designed to discharge a projectile (such as a bullet) by the action of an explosive propellant.
   • A legal category: In law, "firearm" often denotes any weapon capable of firing a projectile, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns, subject to regulations.

Usage Examples

• (A portable gun used for self-defense.)
• (A weapon that shoots bullets, found by law enforcement.)
• (Guns used for hunting, legally documented.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be under the influence of a firearm": a formal or legal phrase meaning to be affected by the use or threat of a gun.

  • The suspect was charged with assault with a deadly firearm. (Using a gun to threaten or harm someone.)

• "firearm discharge": the act of firing a gun.

  • The accidental firearm discharge caused a minor injury. (The gun went off unintentionally.)

Variants and Related Words

• Firearm (n, singular/plural): the word itself is both singular and plural in common usage (e.g., "one firearm" or "several firearm" is rare; usually "firearms" for plural).

  • The store sells various types of firearms. (Different kinds of guns.)

• Firearm-related (adj): pertaining to guns or their use.

  • He took a course on firearm safety. (Training about handling guns safely.)

Synonyms

• Gun: a general term for a weapon that shoots bullets.
• Pistol: a specific type of small firearm designed to be held in one hand.
• Rifle: a long-barreled firearm for precise shooting.
• Shotgun: a firearm that fires a spread of small pellets.

Phrasal Verbs

• Fire off: to discharge a firearm quickly or repeatedly.

  • He fired off several rounds from his firearm. (He shot the gun multiple times.)

• Take aim with a firearm: to point a gun at a target.

  • She took careful aim with her firearm before shooting. (She aimed the gun precisely.)

Related Idioms

• Under the gun: under pressure or in a difficult situation (not directly about firearms, but derived from the idea of being threatened by a gun).

  • The team was under the gun to finish the project on time. (They faced intense pressure.)

• Jump the gun: to start something too early or before the appropriate time (from racing, where a gun signals the start).

  • He jumped the gun and announced the results before they were official. (He acted prematurely.)