DEFINITIONS

rifling

1
[ rahy-fling ]
/ ˈraɪ flɪŋ /
||
SEE MORE 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.

Words related to rifling

rip, rummage, trash, burglarize, pillage, rob, gut, sack, despoil, plunder, take, strip, loot, waste, grab, burgle

Words nearby rifling

riflebird, rifled slug, rifleman, riflery, riflescope, rifling, riflip, rift, rift saw, rift valley, rift valley fever

Origin of rifling

1
First recorded in 1790–1800; rifle1 + -ing1

Definition for rifling (2 of 4)

rifling2
[ rahy-fling ]
/ ˈraɪ flɪŋ /

noun

the act or process of ransacking or robbing.

Origin of rifling

2
rifle2 + -ing1

Definition for rifling (3 of 4)

rifle1
[ 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.

Origin of rifle

1
1745–55; < Low German rīfeln to groove, derivative of rīve, riefe groove, flute, furrow; akin to Old English rifelede wrinkled

Definition for rifling (4 of 4)

rifle2
[ 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

2
1325–75; Middle English rifel < Old French rifler to scratch, strip, plunder

OTHER WORDS FROM rifle

ri·fler, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rifle

riffle rifle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rifling

British Dictionary definitions for rifling (1 of 3)

rifling
/ (ˈraɪflɪŋ) /

noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for rifling (2 of 3)

rifle1
/ (ˈraɪfəl) /

noun

  1. 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
  2. (as modifier)rifle fire
(formerly) a large cannon with a rifled bore
one of the grooves in a rifled bore
(plural)
  1. a unit of soldiers equipped with rifles
  2. (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 rifling (3 of 3)

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