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rifle
1[ rahy-fuhl ]
noun
- a shoulder firearm with spiral grooves cut in the inner surface of the gun barrel to give the bullet a rotatory motion and thus a more precise trajectory.
- one of the grooves.
- a cannon with such grooves.
- Often Rifles. any of certain military units or bodies equipped with rifles.
verb (used with object)
- to cut spiral grooves within (a gun barrel, pipe, etc.).
- to propel (a ball) at high speed, as by throwing or hitting with a bat.
rifle
2[ rahy-fuhl ]
verb (used with object)
- to ransack and rob (a place, receptacle, etc.).
- to search and rob (a person).
- to plunder or strip bare.
- to steal or take away.
rifle
1/ ˈraɪfəl /
noun
- a firearm having a long barrel with a spirally grooved interior, which imparts to the bullet spinning motion and thus greater accuracy over a longer range
- ( as modifier )
rifle fire
- (formerly) a large cannon with a rifled bore
- one of the grooves in a rifled bore
- plural
- a unit of soldiers equipped with rifles
- ( capital when part of a name )
the Rifle Brigade
verb
- to cut or mould spiral grooves inside the barrel of (a gun)
- to throw or hit (a ball) with great speed
rifle
2/ ˈraɪfəl /
verb
- to search (a house, safe, etc) and steal from it; ransack
- to steal and carry off
to rifle goods from a shop
Derived Forms
- ˈrifler, noun
Other Words From
- rifler noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of rifle1
Origin of rifle2
Word History and Origins
Origin of rifle1
Origin of rifle2
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
In their midst stands a soldier with the Lebanese armed forces in a red beret, sporting an assault rifle and an unblinking stare.
He used the powerful assault rifle issued to all guards on tower duty.
My rifle was in my shoulder in that familiar and powerful position.
I crossed the room with my rifle up, stood on top of the bed, and from my perch looked down at bin Laden.
At one point McShane stopped suddenly, and pointed to what looked like a rifle protruding from a window.
There was no fighting; a rifle shot now and then from the crests where we saw our fellows clearly.
One Turkish Company, about a hundred strong, was making an ugly push within rifle shot of our ship.
Our batteries last night did not fire a shot and the men had to drive back the enemy by rifle fire.
MacRae's seat, stone-marker, and aboriginal spearhead; the three lined up like the sights of a modern rifle.
In the fall the barrel of his rifle had been so covered with dead leaves and dust that he could not take aim.
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