Lewis gun

noun

: a gas-operated air-cooled machine gun fed by a drum magazine and first used in World War I

dropped my stick with a clatter like a Lewis gun

—Angus Mowat

Word History

Etymology

after Isaac N. Lewis †1931 American army officer and inventor

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!