Gunwoman

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A woman who owns or operates a firearm, often skilled in shooting
2. A female individual known for carrying or using a gun, especially in armed situations
3. A woman characterized by handling or possessing a gun, typically for protection or combat

Etymology: "Gunwoman" is a plain compound: "gun" joined to "-woman," the same ending found in words like "policewoman" and "chairwoman." It was formed by analogy with "gunman," so it follows the existing pattern of gun-plus-person words rather than arising from any separate history of its own. The word's interest lies in the gender marking. English long used "-man" as a generic term for a person of either sex, so "gunman" applied to anyone who fired a weapon. Adding "-woman" was a way of specifying a female gunner or armed person, the same reason words like "policewoman" were formed. The result is a word that is transparent in meaning: a woman who carries or uses a firearm.

Synonyms: female shooter