rifling Definition

rifle¹
noun

1. A large gun that is fired from the shoulder and has a long barrel with a spiral groove on the inside, giving the gun greater accuracy over a long distance.

Thesaurus: gun, shotgun, firearm, musket.
2. A groove on the inside of the bore or barrel of a gun.
3. A body of soldiers armed with rifles; riflemen. Also as adj.

Example: rifle shot
Example: rifle fire
Form: rifles (usually)

verb rifled, rifling

1. To cut spiral grooves in (a gun or its barrel).
tr & intr
2. To fire at someone or something with a rifle.
3. To hit or kick (a ball, etc) very hard and direct at a target.

Derivative: rifling

The pattern of spiral grooves on the inside of the barrel of a gun.

The act of making these grooves.

Etymology: 17c: from French rifler to scratch.

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rifle²
verb rifled, rifling

tr & intr
1. To search through (eg a house, safe, etc) thoroughly, usually in order to steal something from it.

Thesaurus: rob, ransack, plunder, rummage through, sack, loot, maraud, pillage.
2. To steal something.

Derivative: rifler
noun

Derivative: rifling
noun

Etymology: 14c: from French rifler to plunder.