1.
weapon; deadly weapon; dangerous instrument
An object used or capable of being used to harm or kill someone. In legal and news contexts, refers to any object used as a weapon in a crime, whether a knife, blunt instrument, or other item.
凶器はナイフだった。
The weapon was a knife.
犯人は凶器を持って逃げた。
The criminal fled with the weapon.
警察は現場付近で凶器と思われる包丁を発見した。
Police found a kitchen knife believed to be the weapon near the scene.
USAGE:
凶器 specifically refers to an object used as a weapon in a violent act. It is most commonly encountered in news reports and legal contexts. Any everyday object can become a 凶器 if used to harm someone.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 凶器を持つ (to carry a weapon)
- 凶器を使う (to use a weapon)
- 凶器準備集合罪 (crime of assembling with weapons prepared — a legal term)
- 鈍器 (blunt weapon — a related term)
KANJI NOTE:
The character 凶 means bad luck or evil, as in 凶悪 (atrocious). 器 means instrument or vessel.