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rifle1 definition

ri·fle (rī′fəl)

transitive verb rifled -·fled, rifling -·fling

  1. to cut spiral grooves on the inside of (a gun barrel, etc.)
  2. ☆

    Etymology: < riflethe

    to hurl or throw with great speed

Etymology: Fr rifler, to scrape, scratch < OFr < MHG riffeln, to scratch, heckle (flax) < OHG riffilon, akin to ripple

noun

    1. ☆ a gun, fired from the shoulder, with spiral grooves cut into the inner surface of the barrel
    2. a rifled artillery piece
  2. troops armed with rifles

Etymology: short for rifled gun

rifle2 definition

ri·fle (rī′fəl)

transitive verb rifled -·fled, rifling -·fling

    1. to ransack and rob (a place); pillage; plunder
    2. Now Rare to search and rob (a person)
  2. to take as plunder; steal

Etymology: ME riflen < OFr rifler, to plunder, orig., to scratch: see rifle

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rifle Synonyms

rifle

n.

Types of rifles include: Albini-Braendlin, Berdan, Berthier, Chassepot, Francini-Martini, Lebel, Martini-Henry, Mannlicher, Schulhof, Sober, Peabody-Martini, Lee-Metford, Remington, Krag-Jorgensen, Sharps, Johnson, Springfield, Winchester, Garrand, Enfield, breech-loading, double-barrelled, repeating, Mauser, high-powered, low-powered, Lee straight-pull, Browning automatic (BAR), recoilless, match, Minie, muzzle-loading, rook and rabbit, saloon, Schneider repeating, carbine, M-1, M-14, M-16, AK-47, automatic, semi-automatic, stick*, iron*;


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rifle Usage Examples

Preposition: with

  • bayonet: As well as a revolver, Diego had a large rifle with a bayonet attached, ideal for close combat.

Converse of object

  • sling: He stood silently and slung the rifle over his shoulder, then started toward where the craft appeared to have set down.

Adjective modifier

  • ak-47: Rashid opened fire on Cardoso with an AK-47 assault rifle.

Modifies a noun

  • butt: They move to the back of the stage, break open the center doors with their rifle butts.

Noun used with modifier

  • sniper: There is a soldier in the tower with a sniper rifle.
rifle usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

rifle quotes

To fair Fidele's grassy tomb Soft maids and village hinds shall bring Each opening sweet of earliest bloom, And rifle all the breathing spring.

-Collins,William

Let him who has a rifle use his rifle, let him who has a sword use his sword! And let those who have no sword take up pick-axes and sticks.

-Ho Chi Minh originally NguyenThatThanh

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains And the women come out to cut up what remains Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An'go to your Gawd like a soldier.

-Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard

rifle quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"rifle." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/rifle>

APA Style

rifle. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/rifle

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