rifle

[ rahy-fuhl ]

/ ˈraɪ fəl /

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See synonyms for: rifle / rifling / rifler on Thesaurus.com

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 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.

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Origin of rifle

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; from Low German rīfeln “to groove,” derivative of rīve, riefe “groove, flute, furrow”; akin to Old English rifelede “wrinkled”

Other definitions for rifle (2 of 2)

rifle²

[ rahy-fuhl ]

/ 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

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rifel, from Old French rifler “to scratch, strip, plunder”

synonym study for rifle

1. See rob.

OTHER WORDS FROM rifle

rifler, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rifle

riffle, rifle

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

How to use rifle in a sentence

Sighting in your rifle—making sure the scope is adjusted to accurately place a shot at the desired distance—is the bare minimum for preparing for a rifle hunt.
The Beginner's Guide to Hunting|Ian Fohrman|October 30, 2020|Outside Online
The pair were both clad in camouflage and grinning in front of a mountain vista, hunting rifles slung over their shoulders.
Want to Win in Montana? It's the Environment, Stupid.|Elliott D. Woods|October 28, 2020|Outside Online
Some kids with an air rifle put two holes in the sleigh and one in me.
All we want for Christmas is Mel Gibson’s Bad Santa in the Fatman trailer|Jennifer Ouellette|October 8, 2020|Ars Technica
"We would like our rocket to be reliable, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle," said Alexander Bloshenko, executive director of Roscosmos for Advanced Programs and Science.
Russian space corporation unveils planned “Amur” rocket—and it looks familiar|Eric Berger|October 6, 2020|Ars Technica

In the photo, Parray was wearing an army uniform, carrying rifles and guns on his shoulders.
Four Sons, One War: All Dead|Eugene Robinson|September 25, 2020|Ozy
I knew because I rifled through his mail that terrible October morning.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He rifled through the bushes, his hand passing near my face.
Handcuffs, Ropes, and an Open Window: How I Escaped an Unthinkable Childhood|Genyfer Spark|January 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Most of these slabs and tiles have disappeared, and many of the graves have long been rifled of their contents.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
This Catacomb has been often rifled, and the galleries are strewn with marble fragments of its monuments.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
Three-barrel guns were also made from one piece of steel, two bores for shot and the third rifled for a bullet.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
Captain Ransom and Lieutenant Simpson had twelve-pounders, the others were three-inch rifled guns.
The Boys of '61|Charles Carleton Coffin.
My arms had been taken from me, and my pockets rifled of all their valuables, including my watch.
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry|Willard Glazier

British Dictionary definitions for rifle (1 of 2)

rifle¹

/ (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)

rifle²

/ (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 of rifle

rifler, noun

Word Origin for rifle

C14: from Old French rifler to plunder, scratch, of Germanic origin

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

rifle

Origin of rifle

Other definitions for rifle (2 of 2)

Origin of rifle

synonym study for rifle

OTHER WORDS FROM rifle

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rifle

Words related to rifle

How to use rifle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rifle (1 of 2)

Word Origin for rifle

British Dictionary definitions for rifle (2 of 2)

Derived forms of rifle

Word Origin for rifle