Gunfires

/ˈɡʌnfaɪərz/ noun

Definition

Plural of gunfire; instances of shooting with guns, or the sound and action of firearms being discharged repeatedly.

Etymology

From 'gun' (firearm) + 'fire' (discharge/shooting). 'Gunfire' became a standard term in military English by the 19th century; the plural 'gunfires' refers to multiple instances of such activity.

Kelly Says

Before 'gunfire' became a term, soldiers used words like 'musketry' for shooting sounds—the switch to 'gunfire' happened as firearms evolved and democratized beyond just muskets, so the word needed to be more general.

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