rapid fire

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noun Military.

a rate of firing small arms that is intermediate between slow fire and quick fire.

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Other definitions for rapid fire (2 of 2)

rapid-fire

[ rap-id-fahyuhr ]

/ ˈræp ɪdˈfaɪər /

adjective

characterized by, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession: rapid-fire questions; rapid-fire events.

Military. discharging in rapid fire: rapid-fire rifles.

discharging, operating, etc., at a rate more rapid than normal: a rapid-fire staple gun.

Origin of rapid-fire

First recorded in 1885–90

How to use rapid fire in a sentence

But what is there more irresponsible than playing with the fire of an imagined civil war in the France of today?
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The cameraman was reporting on the factory catching fire when the inevitable happened.
Fireworks Factory Explodes in Colorful Burst|The Daily Beast Video|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lady Edith is so sad that her sadness nearly set the whole damned house on fire.
‘Downton Abbey’ Review: A Fire, Some Sex, and Sad, Sad Edith|Kevin Fallon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Maybe Mary is being more realistic about a second marriage—but is it too much to ask for a little fire?
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

A fire that he insists is only picking up pace, according to top-secret intelligence briefings.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
These sections also have vibrations of their own which are of shorter length and more rapid motion.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
"A camp-fire would hardly flash and die out like that, Sarge," he answered thoughtfully.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
She got up and stood in front of the fire, having her hand on the chimney-piece and looking down at the blaze.
Confidence|Henry James
The fire had been heaped over with earth—to screen it from prying eyes, I suppose, while the good work went on.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
But, as the keel of the boats touched bottom, each boat-load dashed into the water and then into the enemy's fire.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for rapid fire

rapid fire

noun

a fast rate of gunfire

adjective rapid-fire

firing shots rapidly
denoting medium-calibre mounted guns designed for rapid fire

done, delivered, or occurring in rapid succession

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rapid fire

Words nearby rapid fire

Other definitions for rapid fire (2 of 2)

Origin of rapid-fire

Words related to rapid fire

How to use rapid fire in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rapid fire