rifle
1[ rahy-fuh l ]
/ ˈraɪ fəl /
noun
a shoulder firearm with spiral grooves cut in the inner surface of the gun barrel to give the bullet a rotatory motion and thus a more precise trajectory.
one of the grooves.
a cannon with such grooves.
(often initial capital letter) rifles, any of certain military units or bodies equipped with rifles.
verb (used with object), ri·fled, ri·fling.
to cut spiral grooves within (a gun barrel, pipe, etc.).
to propel (a ball) at high speed, as by throwing or hitting with a bat.
Nearby words
riffage, riffle, riffler, riffola, riffraff, rifle, rifle bird, rifle green, rifle grenade, rifle pit, rifle range
Origin of rifle
11745–55; < Low German rīfeln to groove, derivative of rīve, riefe groove, flute, furrow; akin to Old English rifelede wrinkled
Definition for rifle (2 of 2)
rifle
2[ rahy-fuh l ]
/ ˈraɪ fəl /
verb (used with object), ri·fled, ri·fling.
to ransack and rob (a place, receptacle, etc.).
to search and rob (a person).
to plunder or strip bare.
to steal or take away.
Origin of rifle
21325–75; Middle English rifel < Old French rifler to scratch, strip, plunder
Related forms
ri·fler, nounCan be confused
riffle rifleDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for rifle
British Dictionary definitions for rifle (1 of 2)
rifle
1/ (ˈraɪfəl) /
noun
- a firearm having a long barrel with a spirally grooved interior, which imparts to the bullet spinning motion and thus greater accuracy over a longer range
- (as modifier)rifle fire
(formerly) a large cannon with a rifled bore
one of the grooves in a rifled bore
(plural)
- a unit of soldiers equipped with rifles
- (capital when part of a name)the Rifle Brigade
verb (tr)
to cut or mould spiral grooves inside the barrel of (a gun)
to throw or hit (a ball) with great speed
Word Origin for rifle
C18: from Old French rifler to scratch; related to Low German rifeln from riefe groove, furrow
British Dictionary definitions for rifle (2 of 2)
rifle
2/ (ˈraɪfəl) /
verb (tr)
to search (a house, safe, etc) and steal from it; ransack
to steal and carry offto rifle goods from a shop
Derived Forms
rifler, nounWord Origin for rifle
C14: from Old French rifler to plunder, scratch, of Germanic origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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