Gunsling

/ˈɡʌnslɪŋ/ verb

Definition

To carry or handle guns, especially in the manner of a gunslinger; to engage in gunfighting.

Etymology

Back-formation from 'gunslinger,' combining 'gun' and 'sling' (to throw or carry). The verb form reflects the gerund and present participle forms of the occupation that emerged in 19th-century American frontier terminology.

Kelly Says

The word 'gunsling' is almost entirely confined to historical and fictional narratives about the American West—it's rarely used in modern contexts, making it a linguistic fossil of a specific era and mythology.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.