smoothbore

[ smooth-bawr, -bohr ]

/ ˈsmuðˌbɔr, -ˌboʊr /

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adjective

(of firearms) having a bore that is smooth; not rifled.

noun

a smoothbore gun.

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Origin of smoothbore

First recorded in 1790–1800; smooth + bore²

Words nearby smoothbore

S.M.O.M., smooch, smoodge, smooth, smooth as silk, smoothbore, smooth breathing, smooth collie, smooth diet, smooth dogfish, smoothen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use smoothbore in a sentence

Again the smoothbore roared and a handful of balls scoured another thicket.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
Two thirds of us will have to manage, until we can do better, with the smoothbore and even with the old flintlock.
The Long Roll|Mary Johnston
And it was partly because so many of the Indians were shooting smoothbore muskets that were not accurate at a long distance.
The Story of Geronimo|James Arthur Kjelgaard
Being a staunch believer in the Police, Smoothbore had little faith in the Militia!
The Great Gold Rush|W. H. P. (William Henry Pope) Jarvis

Almost within a minute after Smoothbore had left him he was wavering in his opinions; now he was striding in pursuit of him.
The Great Gold Rush|W. H. P. (William Henry Pope) Jarvis

British Dictionary definitions for smoothbore

smoothbore

/ (ˈsmuːðˌbɔː) /

noun

(modifier) (of a firearm) having an unrifled borea smoothbore musket

such a firearm

Derived forms of smoothbore

smoothbored, adjective

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