chassepot

American  

[shas-poh, shas-poh] / ˈʃæs poʊ, ʃasˈpoʊ /

noun

chassepots plural

1. a breechloading rifle, closed with a sliding bolt, introduced into the French army after 1866.

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chassepot British  

/ ˈʃæspəʊ, ʃaspo /

noun

1. a breech-loading bolt-action rifle formerly used by the French Army

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• chassepots
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chassepot

1865–70; named after A. A. Chassepot (1833–1905), French mechanic, who invented it

Example Sentences

The chassepot may succeed Page 412after having finished the rest of its task, and dispose of the baboons after the settlement of the men.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science October, 1877. Vol XX - No. 118 by Various

Sadowa and ’66 were child’s play to this here, with the fire of the chassepot and that infernal mitrailleuse!

From Fritz and Eric The Brother Crusoes by Hutcheson, John C. (John Conroy)

It was a young girl with a Phrygian cap on her head, a chassepot in her hand, a cartridge-box by her side.

From History of the Commune of 1871 by Lissagary, P.

But when they saw him strip and repair a chassepot with no more tools than a pocket screw-driver and a nail file, they changed the fashion of their countenances.

From A Tatter of Scarlet Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871 by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

To this day Paul retains his chassepot as a memento of the happy, careless days he passed, while serving under the Tricolor of France.

From The Story of Paul Boyton Voyages on All the Great Rivers of the World by Boyton, Paul