ammunition
UK: ˌæmjuˈnɪʃ(ə)n | US: ˌæmjuˈnɪʃ(ə)n
n. 1. A supply of bullets, shells, or other projectiles used in combat.
n. 2. Information or resources used to support an argument or attack.
ammunition = am<around> + mun<defense> + ition<noun suffix>
- am<around>: From Latin amb- (around), implying preparation or stockpiling.
- mun<defense>: From Latin munire (to fortify), related to protection or military supply.
- ition<noun suffix>: Forms nouns indicating a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
Derived from French munition (military supplies), which evolved from Latin munitionem (fortification). The prefix am- (a variant of amb-) was added later, likely influenced by the phrase la munition being misinterpreted as l’ammunition. The word originally referred to fortifications but shifted to mean military projectiles by the 17th century, reflecting the logic of "stockpiling for defense."
Soldiers carried extra ammunition during the mission.
The journalist used statistics as ammunition in the debate.
The army faced a shortage of ammunition.
Her research provided fresh ammunition for the policy reform.
The warehouse stored tons of ammunition for training exercises.