But Peter:
Here is a case where the root has the meaning of sending out, and the context is that of weaponry, putting two and two together we get four, i.e. this is weaponry that is sent out, namely projectiles (or missiles). The concept of projectiles also fits the context. To use the generalized term "weapon", though technically correct, is a tad misleading.
When trying to learn a language, it is harder to learn vocabulary when all synonyms are given the same definition. For example, there are about a dozen synonyms for RAH to look, see, in Tanakh. If all are defined with the generalized term "to look, see", how is the student to keep them straight? But if $ZP is defined as to glimpse for a moment, $QP as to look down from a height to a lower place, and so forth, it is not only easier to learn, but it brings out the meaning better.
...
True, there are some terms whose definitions have been almost totally forgotten, others where we have only clues towards a definition, but I think it is better to indicate the more specific definition that the context and roots point to, than just to give a generalized definition. And if we are not sure, admit, at least in lexicons and to students of B-Hebrew, that we are not sure, but this is what we think the meaning is.
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