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