rifle

¹ri·fle

verb \ˈrī-fəl\

ri·fledri·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of RIFLE

transitive verb

1

: to ransack especially with the intent to steal

2

: to steal and carry away

intransitive verb

: to engage in ransacking and stealing

— ri·fler \-f(ə-)lər\ noun

Origin of RIFLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French rifler to scrape off, plunder, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German riffilōn to saw, obsolete Dutch rijffelen to scrape

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with RIFLE

stifle, trifle

²rifle

transitive verb

ri·fledri·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of RIFLE

: to cut spiral grooves into the bore of <rifled arms> <rifled pipe>

Origin of RIFLE

perhaps from French rifler to scratch, file, from Middle French, to scrape, plunder

First Known Use: 1635

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

³rifle

noun

Definition of RIFLE

1

a : a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore

b : a rifled artillery piece

2

plural : soldiers armed with rifles

First Known Use of RIFLE

1770

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

⁴rifle

transitive verb

ri·fledri·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of RIFLE

: to propel (as a ball) with great force or speed

Origin of RIFLE

³rifle

First Known Use: 1937

rifle

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Firearm whose barrel is rifled (i.e., has spiral grooves cut inside it to give a spin to the projectile). Though usually applied to a weapon fired from the shoulder, the name can also refer to a rifled cannon. Rifled firearms date to at least the 15th century, when it was discovered that imparting a spin to the bullet improved its range and accuracy. The earliest muzzle-loading rifles were more difficult to load than smoothbore muskets, but the invention of metallic cartridges made possible the development of breech-loading mechanisms. Bolt-action rifles, which use a manually operated cylinder to drive the cartridge into the rifle's chamber, are the most common type for hunting. See also assault rifle.