hardware

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Metal goods and utensils such as locks, tools, and cutlery.
2. n. Computer Science A computer and the associated physical equipment directly involved in the performance of data-processing or communications functions.
3. n. Machines and other physical equipment directly involved in performing an industrial, technological, or military function.
4. n. Informal Weapons, especially military weapons.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Small metal articles, such as house- or carriage-trimmings, fittings, parts of machines, domestic and kitchen utensils and appliances, and small tools. For more convenient classification, such material is called builders' hardware, domestic hardware, carriage-hardware, etc.
2. n. Alcoholic liquors.

Wiktionary

1. n. Fixtures, equipment, tools and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, e.g. hardware store.
2. n. informal Equipment.
3. n. computing The part of a computer that is fixed and cannot be altered without replacement or physical modification; motherboard, expansion cards, etc. Compare software.
4. n. technology Electronic equipment.
5. n. Metal implements.
6. n. slang A firearm.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. Ware made of metal, as cutlery, kitchen utensils, and the like; ironmongery.
2. n. Any of the physical objects used in carrying out an activity, in contrast to the knowledge, skill, or theory required to perform the activity; mostly used collectively.
3. n. (Computers) The sum of all the physical objects, such as the electrical, mechanical, and electronic devices which comprise a computer system; ; contrasted with software, the programs executed by the computer.
4. n. (Military) The weapons, transport, and other physical objects used in conducting a war.
5. n. Weapons, especially handguns, carried on the person.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system
2. n. major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
3. n. instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal