assault gun
- noun
- /əˈsɔlt ɡʌn/
- Archaic
:
cañón de asalto
- The army deployed an assault gun to provide heavy support for the advancing infantry.
Examples
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Many World War II movies feature scenes with assault guns supporting soldiers in urban combat.
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During the battle, the assault gun targeted enemy tanks from a concealed position.
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The military deployed an assault gun to support the infantry.
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Many armies around the world use assault guns in combat.
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The army deployed an assault gun to provide heavy support for the advancing infantry.
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During the battle, the assault gun targeted enemy tanks from a concealed position.
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Many World War II movies feature scenes with assault guns supporting soldiers in urban combat.
Synonyms
22
3.4
A vehicle with heavy metal protection that keeps people safe from attack, like a tank or police van
1
8.1
A light military vehicle with a strong anti-tank gun that stops enemy tanks
A heavy military machine like a tank with heavy metal plates, tracks, and a large gun for fighting
How Powerful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is transparently built from 'assault' (an attack or combat action) + 'gun' (a firearm), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a firearm used for assaults or military-style combat. While technical distinctions (automatic/semi-automatic, magazine size) are specialized, the basic sense is directly derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
Assault gun comes from a wartime image: a heavy gun fixed on a tank body that moves with soldiers during an assault, a word meaning 'attack'. That's why it names an armored vehicle carrying a large gun to support infantry.