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rifle¹ Definition

ri·fle (fəl)

transitive verb -·fled, -·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
  1. troops armed with rifles

Etymology: short for rifled gun

rifle² Definition

ri·fle (fəl)

transitive verb -·fled, -·fling

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

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

rifle² Related Forms

ri·fler noun

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*;

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.
  • semi-automatic: At issue was the separation of objectives between the general purpose bolt-action rifle and the semi-automatic battle rifle.
  • high-powered: Small arms, described as ' high-powered rifles ' USA 1988 US Customs foil bid to buy rifles from gun dealer in Alabama.
  • loaded: One of the more interesting policies of theirs is ex-servicemen will be made to keep a loaded assault rifle at home.
  • repeating: Thanks to Vince for the corrections on Unforgiven - I'll never mistake a shotgun with a Spencer repeating rifle again.
  • recoilless: They consisted of 5 parachutes packed into one bag and were attached to recoilless rifles; anti-tank guns and even motorcycle combinations.

Modifies a noun

  • butt: They move to the back of the stage, break open the center doors with their rifle butts.
  • shooting: The NRA planned its own great annual national meeting for rifle shooting.
  • platoon: The reserve will only be one motorized rifle platoon.
  • marksmanship: Being self-taught in rifle marksmanship is rather like being self-taught on the piano.
  • grenade: Was killed in action No. 1915 by a rifle grenade whilst handing over to the Royal Berkshire Regt at Vermelles.
  • corps: Thurso and Wick boasted both riflemen and gunners; Halkirk had a rifle corps; Lybster had artillery.

Noun used with modifier

  • sniper: There is a soldier in the tower with a sniper rifle.
  • assault: Out of the haze walked the most realistic looking Master Chief ever imagined, assault rifle in hand.
  • bolt-action: Having been born and raised, as it were, with a bolt-action rifle, I am very happy with this concept.
  • anti-tank: I have a photo of one of their jeeps equipped with a Boys.55 anti-tank rifle.
  • rimfire: Shooters have one hour 45 minutes in which to fire a.22 rimfire rifle at a target 50m away in the elimination round.
  • small-bore: There are two leagues run by the NSRA for small-bore rifles and air rifles and pistols.

Browse dictionary entries near rifle

  1. riffraff
  2. riffle
  3. riff
  4. rife
  5. rifampin
  6. rif
  7. Riesling
  8. Rienzi
  9. Riemannian geometry
  10. riel
  1. rifle range
  2. rifleman
  3. riflery
  4. rifling
  5. rift
  6. Rift Valley
  7. rig
  8. Rig-Veda
  9. Riga
  10. rigadoon