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Kentucky rifle

American  

noun

  1. a long-barreled muzzleloading flintlock rifle developed near Lancaster, Pa., in the early 18th century and widely used on the frontier.


Etymology

Origin of Kentucky rifle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To this, the American provocatively patted his Kentucky rifle.

From Seattle Times

Dougherty’s apartment is filled with the Booth derringer, a Kentucky rifle, and a variety of engines that all operate.

From Washington Times

Accidents began to happen early, when behind the massive beams we found a Kentucky rifle and a Whistler etching, both perfectly preserved.

From New York Times

The doctor was armed with his Kentucky rifle, and Hans with a harpoon and attached line.

From Project Gutenberg

In an instant the furious animal leaped at the throat of a stranger dressed in leather, who came into the room with a long Kentucky rifle, pulled him down, and would certainly have killed him in a few minutes, if I had not thrust my hands between the dog's jaws and forced them open, though his teeth were buried deep in my fingers.

From Project Gutenberg