The weapons and ammunition that a military unit can use, or the strength and effectiveness of a group.
From 'fire' (Old English fyr, flames) plus 'power' (Latin potentia, strength). Combined in the 1800s as military terminology, later used metaphorically for any kind of effective force.
Firepower was revolutionized by the Gatling gun (1860s), which could fire 200 rounds per minute—suddenly one person had the firepower of dozens of traditional soldiers, completely changing battlefield tactics.
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