The amount of work actually doesn’t matter (except when it does; especially the EU may consider it). The specific wordings might matter but that’s not immediately obvious. A dictionary is at least close enough to mere database that its protected status isn’t automatic. The more selective the dictionary is the more obviously it is protected since the selection process is an expression of creativity.
Fake entries are definitely used in practice, most likely because they move the dictionary from “probably protected but the court would have to decide” to “definitely protected”.
Laser tanks are impractical. What if the enemy wears mirrored shades? That laser goes right back and kills you instead. You don’t want your 100 million dollar tank to be taken out by a pair of Ray-Bans.