noun

1. Archaic apparatus, as catapults or arbalests, for hurling heavy missiles
2. guns of large caliber, too heavy to carry; mounted guns (excluding machine guns), as cannon or missile launchers: artillery may be mobile, stationary, or mounted on ships, airplanes, etc.
3. the science of guns; gunnery

Etymology: ME < OFr artillerie < artillier (prob. altered by assoc. with arte, art) < atillier, to equip; dissimilated var. of atirier: see attire