Search results for 'rifle':

rifle¹ noun 1 a large gun that is fired from the shoulder and has a long barrel with a spiral groove on the inside, giving the gun greater accuracy over a long distance. 2 a groove on the inside of the bore or barrel of a gun. 3 (usually rifles) a body of soldiers armed with rifles; riflemen. Also as adj • rifle shot • rifle fire. verb (rifled, rifling) 1 to cut spiral grooves in (a gun or its barrel). 2 tr & intr to fire at someone or something with a rifle. 3 to hit or kick (a ball, etc) very hard and direct at a target. rifling noun 1 the pattern of spiral grooves on the inside of the barrel of a gun. 2 the act of making these grooves.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: from French rifler to scratch.

rifle² verb (rifled, rifling) 1 tr & intr to search through (eg a house, safe, etc) thoroughly, usually in order to steal something from it. 2 to steal something. rifler noun. rifling noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from French rifler to plunder.