rifling

[ rahy-fling ]

/ ˈraɪ flɪŋ /

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See synonyms for rifling on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or process of cutting spiral grooves in a gun barrel, pipe, etc.

the system of spiral grooves so cut.

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Origin of rifling

First recorded in 1790–1800; rifle¹ + -ing¹

Words nearby rifling

rifleman, rifle pit, rifle range, riflery, riflescope, rifling, rift, rift saw, rift-sawed, rift valley, Rift Valley fever

Other definitions for rifling (2 of 2)

rifling²

[ rahy-fling ]

/ ˈraɪ flɪŋ /

noun

the act or process of ransacking or robbing.

Origin of rifling

rifle² + -ing¹

How to use rifling in a sentence

It’s 18 degrees but feels much colder thanks to a rifling northwest wind and an army of sun-blotting clouds racing overhead.
Skiing West Virginia’s ‘Canadian Valley’ in a banner season|John Briley|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
The gunsmith was so impressed by the boy and his accomplishment that, after rifling the barrel, he fitted it with a lock.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
These other marks were made by the rifling of the barrel a barrel like this one.'
Trent's Last Case|E.C. (Edmund Clerihew) Bentley
The little uplift of mood, coincident with the rifling of Riggs's person, had not worn over to this evening camp.
The Man of the Forest|Zane Grey

But the trouble was unknown, and they might end up rifling or pinwheeling if they didn't let bad enough alone.
Tight Squeeze|Dean Charles Ing
I went down stairs, and saw one of the villains cutting Mrs. Williamsons throat, and rifling her pockets.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 1/2|Camden Pelham

British Dictionary definitions for rifling

rifling

/ (ˈraɪflɪŋ) /

noun

the cutting of spiral grooves on the inside of a firearm's barrel

the series of grooves so cut

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

rifling

Origin of rifling

Words nearby rifling

Other definitions for rifling (2 of 2)

Origin of rifling

Words related to rifling

How to use rifling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rifling