Meaning & Definition of word "Rifle"
to
Rifle
/ˈraɪfəl/
noun:
- 1. A shoulder-fired firearm designed to fire a single projectile or to shoot multiple projectiles at one time.
- Example: The soldier slung his rifle across his back as he marched into the battlefield.
- 2. A long gun with a rifled barrel.
- Example: He aimed his rifle at the target, adjusting the sights for long-range accuracy.
verb:
- 1. To search through something in a hurried or untidy manner; to ransack.
- Example: The burglars rifled through the drawers looking for valuables.
- 2. To make a groove or grooves in (a barrel or other object).
- Example: The gunsmith rifled the barrel to improve the accuracy of the firearm.
Etymology
Middle French 'rifler', meaning to scrape or scratch.
Common Phrases and Expressions
to rifle through:
To search through something hastily.
rifle shot:
A shot fired from a rifle.
Related Words
shotgun:
A firearm that is designed to shoot a large number of small shot or a single slug.
carbine:
A lightweight, shorter-barreled rifle.
Slang Meanings of rifle
Meaning: A rifle can refer to a well-built or attractive person.
Example Sentence: That guy is a real rifle.