air rifle

American  

noun

1. an air gun with rifled bore.

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air rifle British  

noun

1. a rifle discharged by compressed air

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Etymology

Origin of air rifle

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

They said they spotted what was later revealed to be a “break barrel air rifle” between his legs.

From Los Angeles Times

A court heard the victim had been armed with an air rifle outside a house on Bowesfield Lane when Matthews and four others, armed with weapons including an axe, went out to confront him.

From BBC

Mr Campbell is also accused of possessing an air rifle without a licence and discharging it on various occasions, and five charges of breach of the peace dating back to July 1995.

From BBC

The officers ordered him out of the car and believed they saw a firearm — later revealed to be a “break barrel air rifle” — between his legs when they opened fire.

From Los Angeles Times

The pair described the weapon they had seen — later determined to be a “break-barrel air rifle” — as being “pinched” between Mitchell’s legs, according to a report from the district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times