rifle¹ Definition
ri·fle (rī′fəl)
transitive verb -·fled, -·fling
- to cut spiral grooves on the inside of (a gun barrel, etc.)
- ☆
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
- ☆ a gun, fired from the shoulder, with spiral grooves cut into the inner surface of the barrel
- a rifled artillery piece
- troops armed with rifles
Etymology: short for rifled gun
rifle² Definition
ri·fle (rī′fəl)
transitive verb -·fled, -·fling
- to ransack and rob (a place); pillage; plunder
- Now Rare to search and rob (a person)
- to take as plunder; steal
Etymology: ME riflen < OFr rifler, to plunder, orig., to scratch: see rifle
rifle² Related Forms
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.

