self-loader

[ self-loh-der ]

noun

1. semiautomatic ( def 3 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-loader¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

A rifle for each soldier to carry, to fire aimed shots from the shoulder without pausing to reload, the Thompson self-loader differs from a machine gun in that the trigger is pulled for each shot instead of held down for a continuous stream of lead.

From Time Magazine Archive

Rid of the necessity for bolting a new cartridge into the firing chamber between shots, as in hand-loading rifles, a soldier can aim 25 or 30 shots per minute with the Thompson self-loader.

From Time Magazine Archive