rifles

Shouldered hunting weapons

Rifles are firearms with spiral grooves cut into the barrel, which spin the bullet for greater accuracy over distance.

The term distinguishes them from smoothbore weapons like shotguns.

Rifles range from hunting and sporting models to military assault weapons.

To rifle through something is to search hastily, rummaging: She rifled through the drawer looking for her keys.

To rifle also means to steal or plunder.

firearm

ammunition

Weapon projectiles and charges

triggerWhat initiates action
scopeExtent or range
stockGoods kept for sale

barrel · magazine · bolt-action · semi-automatic · carbine · recoil · caliber · chamber · safety · sights

rifling

grooves

Narrow carved channels

landsComes to ground
spiralCurve winding around center
twistRotating motion or surprise

bore · spin · stabilization · accuracy · trajectory · helical · engraving · gunsmithing · machining · precision

hunting

game

Organized play or sport

quarryPit for extracting rock
preyAnimal being hunted
trackingMonitoring location over time

stalking · blind · camouflage · deer · elk · safari · varmint · trophy · preserve · license

military

infantry

Ground combat troops

battalionMid-sized military unit
regimentColonel-led military unit
drillHole-boring device

bayonet · volley · cavalry · musketry · formation · salute · platoon · garrison · armory · conscript

Categories

arms and armorswords, shields, helmets, daggers, axes
military equipmenttanks, missiles, grenade, submarines, pistol
armsguns, pistols, swords, firearms, carbines
general storecounter, cash register, ledger, cracker barrel, checkerboard
Military Paradesmarch music, marching, marchers, formation, formations
military suppliesammunition, ammo, bombs, bandages, tanks

Opposites

weapon range/size

Small one-handed firearms

handguns · derringers · pocket pistols · revolvers · sidearms

weapon vs. non-weapon

Protective barriers for defense

armor · plowshares · medical supplies · bandages · tourniquets

verb: searching action

riflesorganizes

Puts into systematic order

arranges · tidies · restores · returns · replaces

Phrases

sniper rifleScoped firearm for distant targets
long riflesExtended-barrel frontier firearms
air riflePneumatic projectile weapon
assault riflesSelective-fire infantry firearms
hunting rifleGun for pursuing game
automatic rifleSelf-reloading rapid-fire gun

Family

rifle, rifled, rifling, rifle range

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG