ammunition

Etymology

From older French amunition, rebracketing of la munition (“the war supplies”) as l’amunition. Ultimately from Latin; see munition for more.

noun

1. Articles used in charging firearms and ordnance of all kinds; as powder, balls, shot, shells, percussion caps, rockets, etc.
2. (obsolete) Military stores, or provisions of all kinds for attack or defense.
   ammunition bread
   ammunition shoes
3. (figurative) Arguments and information that can be used against the other party in a conflict.
   They say that the booklet gives them ammunition which is proving effective in breaking down resistance against home building which was created by false propaganda. 1938, American Lumberman, page 52
   As long as the integration fight is in progress, some Southerners are willing to believe anything if it gives them ammunition in their fight to "retain our traditional way of life." If you have any wise bits of philosophy, please pass them along. 1960, America, Volume 104, America Press, page 697
   Providing your administrator(s) with evidence of research progress gives them ammunition to request additional funds from the site-based management pool. 2005, Blanche Woolls, David V. Loertscher, The Whole School Library Handbook, American Library Association, page 146
   The first thing to do is NOT constantly defend and argue with the ex or the children. It gives them ammunition and fuels their engines to come after you. In addition, you are just giving them more to use against you. 2010, Joan Kloth-Zanard, Where Did I Go Wrong? How Did I Miss the Signs? Dealing with Hostile Parenting & Parental Alienation, Lulu.com, page 109
   However, preventing a vote from taking place could give ammunition to the SNP, which argues that Scotland’s view carries little weight in the union. 2017-02-27, Mure Dickie, Henry Mance, “Theresa May’s speech to head off Scottish independence poll”, in Financial Times

verb

1. To supply with ammunition.