Gun, subs. (old).—1. A lie. New Cant. Dict., 1725. For synonyms, see Whopper.
2. (common).—A thief; specifically, a magsman (q.v.) or street-artist. Also Gun-smith and Gunner. Gunning = thieving. [An abbreviation of Gonof (q.v.).] See Area-sneak and Thieves.
1858. A. Mayhew, Paved with Gold, bk. II., ch. i., p. 70. I tell you you ain’t a-going to make a gun (thief) of this here young flat.
1868. Temple Bar, xxv., 213. … returned to his old trade of gunsmith, gunning being the slang term for thieving, or going on the cross.
1882. Cornhill Mag., p. 649. Flats graft for guns.
1889. Clarkson and Richardson, Police. Gunners and grasshoppers sneak about watching their opportunities.
3. (American).—A revolver. For synonyms, see Meat-in-the Pot.
4. (Irish).—A toddy glass. See In the Gun.
Verb (American).—1. To consider with attention.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Gunned. The copper gunned me as if he was fly to my mug.