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Heavy weapons of warfare; cannon, or great guns, mortars, and howitzers; artillery; sometimes, a general term for all weapons and appliances used in war. All the battlements their ordnance fire. Shak. Then you may hear afar off the awful roar of his [Rufus Choate's] rifled ordnance. E. Ererett. Ordnance survey, the off…

Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]

In ancient warfare, a long beam suspended by slings in a framework, and used for battering the walls of cities; a battering- ram.

of many desperate studies. Shak. There he shall first lay down the rudiments Of his great warfare. Milton.

A tortoise; in ancient warfare, a movable roof or shed to protect besiegers; a testudo. [Obs.] They had also all manner of gynes [engines] . . . that needful is [in] taking or sieging of castle or of city, as snails, that was naught else but hollow pavises and targets, under the which men, when they fought, were heled…

tion of substances which in combustion emit a suffocating odor; -- used formerly in naval warfare.

hant car. Shak. Church triumphant, the church in heaven, enjoying a state of triumph, her warfare with evil being over; -- distinguished from church militant. See under Militant.

being turbulent; a disturbed state; tumult; disorder; agitation. Shak. The years of . . . warfare and turbulence which ensued. Southey.

To carry on, as a contest; to wage. [R.] That thou . . . mightest war a good warfare. Tim. i. 18.

n destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a sword, etc. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 Cor. x. 4. They, astonished, all resistance lost, All courage; down their idle weapons dropped. Milton.

or bear upon the person; to bear upon one's self, as an article of clothing, decoration, warfare, bondage, etc.; to have appendant to one's body; to have on; as, to wear a coat; to wear a shackle. What compass will you wear your farthingale Shak. On her white breast a sparkling cross swore, Which Jews might kiss, and…