out-ˈgun, v.
[out- 21.]
trans. To surpass in guns; to surpass in gunnery; to outshoot. Also fig. Hence outˈgunned ppl. a.
| 1691 Bethel Providences of God (1694) 111 We out-tunn'd them, outgunn'd them, and out-mann'd them. 1887 Blackmore Springhaven (ed. 4) II. xiii. 180 To outsail friend Englishman is a great delight, and to outgun him would be still greater. 1942 R.A.F. Jrnl. 13 June 12 The wolf—helpless, out-ranged and outgunned so far as the Devonshire was concerned. 1945 Sun (Baltimore) 17 Mar. 9–0/1 We're just out-tanked and out-gunned, that's all. 1960 Observer 28 Aug. 25/6 The Corporation has shown that it can outgun its rival. 1973 Daily Tel. 28 Nov. 15 The Battle of the River Plate, in which three outgunned cruisers took on the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. 1977 Times 5 May 1/8 Mr Callaghan, Dr Owen..and Mr Rees..could well be outgunned by a majority of ministers. |