pinfire

[ pin-fahyuhr ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to a cartridge fitted with a pin that, when struck by the hammer of the firearm, causes the cartridge to explode.

  2. of or relating to a firearm that uses such a cartridge.

Origin of pinfire

1
First recorded in 1850–55; pin + fire

Words Nearby pinfire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pinfire in a sentence

  • She had been killed by a bullet which fitted Nepcote's revolver, which was a pinfire weapon.

    The Hand in the Dark | Arthur J. Rees
  • He signed to Señora Martinez, who brought the old pinfire gun and gave it to Kit.

    Kit Musgrave's Luck | Harold Bindloss
  • He knew no arguments they would admit, and his only protection was Don Erminio's old pinfire gun.

    Kit Musgrave's Luck | Harold Bindloss
  • On our arrival, the only weapons the guard possessed were ancient pinfire rifles, firing a huge lump of lead.

    A Kut Prisoner | H. C. W. Bishop