Ri"fle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rifled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Rifling (?).] [F. rifler to rifle, sweep away; of uncertain origin. CF. Raff.]

1.

To seize and bear away by force; to snatch away; to carry off.

Till time shall rifle every youthful grace. Pope.

2.

To strip; to rob; to pillage.

Piers Plowman.

Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye: If not, we'll make you sit and rifle you. Shak.

3.

To raffle.

[Obs.]

J. Webster.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ri"fle, v. i.

1.

To raffle.

[Obs.]

Chapman.

2.

To commit robbery.

[R.]

Bp. Hall.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ri"fle, n. [Akin to Dan. rifle, or riffel, the rifle of a gun, a chamfer (cf. riffel, riffelbosse, a rifle gun, rifle to rifle a gun, G. riefeln, riefen, to chamfer, groove), and E. rive. See Rive, and cf. Riffle, Rivel.]

1.

A gun, the inside of whose barrel is grooved with spiral channels, thus giving the ball a rotary motion and insuring greater accuracy of fire. As a military firearm it has superseded the musket.

2. pl. Mil.

A body of soldiers armed with rifles.

3.

A strip of wood covered with emery or a similar material, used for sharpening scythes.

Rifle pit Mil., a trench for sheltering sharpshooters.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ri"fle (?), v. t.

1.

To grove; to channel; especially, to groove internally with spiral channels; as, to rifle a gun barrel or a cannon.

2.

To whet with a rifle. See Rifle, n., 3.

 

© Webster 1913.