n. pl. ar·til·ler·ies 1. Large-caliber weapons, such as cannon, howitzers, and missile launchers, that are operated by crews. 2. The branch of an army that specializes in the use of such weapons. 3. The science of the use of guns; gunnery. 4. Weapons, such as catapults, arbalests, and other early devices, used for discharging missiles. [Middle English artillerie, from Old French, from artillier, to equip, perhaps alteration of atiller, from Vulgar Latin *apticulāre, from Latin aptāre, to fit, adapt, from aptus, apt; see APT.] |
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