chassepot

American  

[shas-poh, shas-poh] / ˈʃæs poʊ, ʃasˈpoʊ /

noun

plural

chassepots

1. a breechloading rifle, closed with a sliding bolt, introduced into the French army after 1866.

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chassepot British  

/ ˈʃæspəʊ, ʃaspo /

noun

1. a breech-loading bolt-action rifle formerly used by the French Army

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Etymology

Origin of chassepot

1865–70; named after A. A. Chassepot (1833–1905), French mechanic, who invented it

Example Sentences

Here and there a rifleman stood, his chassepot resting on the iron railing, his face turned towards the woods.

From Lorraine A romance by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

A few days after he had landed in Havre, he was marching away with a chassepot rifle on his shoulder and a knap-sack and blanket on his back.

From The Story of Paul Boyton Voyages on All the Great Rivers of the World by Boyton, Paul

Prosper thanked him and was moving away to rejoin Silvine when he caught sight of a chassepot, partially buried in a furrow.

From The Downfall by Robins, E. P.

The first was evidently a chassepot; one recognized it by the sharp report, which sounds like the crack of a whip, while the other three came from the lancers' carbines.

From The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3 by Maupassant, Guy de

To this day Paul retains his chassepot as a memento of the happy, careless days he passed, while serving under the Tricolor of France.

From The Story of Paul Boyton Voyages on All the Great Rivers of the World by Boyton, Paul