Weap″on (?; 277), n. [OE. wepen, AS. w�pen; akin to OS. w�pan, OFries. w�pin, w�pen, D. wapen, G. waffe, OHG. waffan, wāfan, Icel. vāpn, Dan. vaaben, Sw. vapen, Goth. w�pna, pl.; of uncertain origin. Cf. Wapentake.]
1. An instrument of offensive of 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. Boyle.