Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Wirkmittel
English translation:
means of force
Added to glossary by
Michael Grunwald
May 18, 2005 06:06
19 yrs ago
2 viewers *
German term
Wirkmittel
German to English
Tech/Engineering
Military / Defense
Military text:
Einsatz von Waffen- und Wirkmitteln
Problem is that the few available sources indicate the second term to mean 'weapons', but in this case that is a problem!
Einsatz von Waffen- und Wirkmitteln
Problem is that the few available sources indicate the second term to mean 'weapons', but in this case that is a problem!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | means of force |
Victor Dewsbery
|
| 3 +1 | agent(s) |
Anne Schulz
|
| 3 -1 | catalyst |
Raghunathan Rajagopalan
|
Proposed translations
+2
23 mins
Victor Dewsbery
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
Specialised in law and construction
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
means of force
As you say, the two words are largely a tautology.
One option would be to take this to its logical conclusion and only use "weapons" (no second word needed)
But if you decide you need a second component, "means of force" should be inclusive enough to include gas, sound waves, rubber bullets etc.
Other options (agents, ammunition etc.) are probably too specific for your context.
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Note added at 29 mins (2005-05-18 06:35:15 GMT)
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\"The 40mm and shotgun-delivered non-lethal means of force were not employed\"
(http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/96autumn/loren...
\"Firearms (and other means of force considered to possess the probability of causing death or serious bodily damage when utilized)\"
(http://www.protectivesafetysystems.com/uofm.htm)
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Note added at 32 mins (2005-05-18 06:38:36 GMT)
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Of course, the \"rubber bullets\" in my original comment come under the heading \"non-lethal means of force\". But means of force can also be lethal. It\'s just a general heading for weapons.
One option would be to take this to its logical conclusion and only use "weapons" (no second word needed)
But if you decide you need a second component, "means of force" should be inclusive enough to include gas, sound waves, rubber bullets etc.
Other options (agents, ammunition etc.) are probably too specific for your context.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 29 mins (2005-05-18 06:35:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
\"The 40mm and shotgun-delivered non-lethal means of force were not employed\"
(http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/96autumn/loren...
\"Firearms (and other means of force considered to possess the probability of causing death or serious bodily damage when utilized)\"
(http://www.protectivesafetysystems.com/uofm.htm)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 32 mins (2005-05-18 06:38:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Of course, the \"rubber bullets\" in my original comment come under the heading \"non-lethal means of force\". But means of force can also be lethal. It\'s just a general heading for weapons.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks"
+1
11 mins
agent(s)
Aren't agents chemical / biological weapons? I cannot imagine any other meaning here.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Cilian O'Tuama
: agents can also be people
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Wolf Brosius (X)
: Warfare agents sounds right to me
8 hrs
|
-1
13 mins
Raghunathan Rajagopalan
Native in English
Quality legal / financial translation
Native in: English
Works in: German to English
catalyst
against taking chemistry as a base....
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