1775, "portable firearm having a spirally grooved bore," used earlier of the grooves themselves (1751), noun use of rifled (pistol), 1680s, from verb meaning "to cut spiral grooves in" (a gun barrel); see rifle (v.2).
rifle (v.1)
"to plunder," early 14c. (implied in rifling), from Old French rifler "strip, filch, plunder, peel off (skin or bark), fleece," literally "to graze, scratch" (12c.), probably from a Germanic source (compare Old English geriflian "to wrinkle," Old High German riffilon "to tear by rubbing," Old Norse rifa "to tear, break"). Related: Rifled; rifling.
rifle (v.2)
"to cut spiral grooves in" (a gun barrel), 1630s, probably from French rifler, from Old French rifler "to scratch or groove" (see rifle (v.1)). Related: Rifled; rifling.
rifle 双语例句
1. They shot him at point blank range with an automatic rifle.
他们用自动步枪近距离开枪射杀了他。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He fixed a bayonet to the end of his rifle.
他在步枪口上安好了刺刀。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Neighbours heard the sound of rifle fire and alerted the police.
邻居们听到了步枪声，就报了警。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Tom was leading, a rifle slung over his back.
汤姆走在前面，背上挂着一支步枪。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Troops used tear gas and rifle butts to break up the protests.