Weap"on [OE. wepen, AS. wpen; akin to OS. wpan, OFries. wpin, wpen, D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan, wafan, Icel. vapn, Dan. vaaben, Sw. vapen, Goth. wpna, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.]
1.
An instrument of offensive or defensive combat; something to fight with; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a sword, etc.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
2 Cor. x. 4.
They, astonished, all resistance lost,
All courage; down their idle weapons dropped.
Milton.
2.
Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends against another; as, argument was his only weapon.
"Woman's weapons, water drops."
Shak.
3. Bot.
A thorn, prickle, or sting with which many plants are furnished.
Concealed weapons. See under Concealed. -- Weapon salve, a salve which was supposed to cure a wound by being applied to the weapon that made it. [Obs.] Boyle.
© Webster 1913. | 
