machine-gun
Belt-fed automatic firearm
A machine-gun is an automatic weapon that fires bullets in rapid succession as long as the trigger is held down, distinguishing it from rifles or pistols that require a separate trigger pull for each shot.
The term also functions as a verb meaning to shoot with such a weapon or, figuratively, to do something with similar rapid-fire intensity: She machine-gunned questions at the witness.
The hyphenated form appears in both noun and verb uses, though *machine gun* (two words) is common for the noun.
Ground combat troops
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- combatArmed hostile engagement
platoon · regiment · bunker · emplacement · pillbox · foxhole · fortification · flanking
Operating without intervention
- belt-fedAmmunition via flexible chain
- full-autoContinuous firing mode
- recoil-operatedFirearm cycling via kickback
- triggerWhat initiates action
magazine · ammunition · cartridge · bolt · receiver · barrel · bipod · tripod
Short, separated note style
- rat-a-tatRapid knocking sound
- thunderousExtremely loud, resounding
- deafeningOverwhelmingly loud
- earsplittingExtremely, painfully loud
roaring · cacophony · percussive · hammering · pounding · clatter · rattle · bursts
Sustained, overwhelming attack
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
- hailIcy precipitation pellets
- torrentViolent rushing flow
stream · relentless · continuous · sweeping · spray · strafe · riddled · peppered
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- terrifyingEvoking extreme fear
daunting · ominous · lethal · deadly · destructive · firepower · dominating · overwhelming
infantry
Ground combat troops
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- battalionMid-sized military unit
combat · platoon · regiment · bunker · emplacement · pillbox · foxhole · fortification · flanking · entrenchment
automatic
Operating without intervention
- belt-fedAmmunition via flexible chain
- full-autoContinuous firing mode
- recoil-operatedFirearm cycling via kickback
trigger · magazine · ammunition · cartridge · bolt · receiver · barrel · bipod · tripod · gas-operated
staccato
Short, separated note style
- rat-a-tatRapid knocking sound
- thunderousExtremely loud, resounding
- deafeningOverwhelmingly loud
earsplitting · roaring · cacophony · percussive · hammering · pounding · clatter · rattle · bursts · rapport
barrage
Sustained, overwhelming attack
torrent · stream · relentless · continuous · sweeping · spray · strafe · riddled · peppered · stitching
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
terrifying · daunting · ominous · lethal · deadly · destructive · firepower · dominating · overwhelming · brutal
machine-gunbolt-action rifle
Gun with sliding handle mechanism
musket · flintlock · breech-loader · derringer · matchlock
machine-gunclub
Organization with membership
bare hands · stone axe · bow and arrow · spear · sword