I. ˈrī-fəl verb
( ri·fled ; ri·fling -f(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French rifler to scrape off, plunder, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German riffilōn to saw, obsolete Dutch rijffelen to scrape
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to ransack especially with the intent to steal
2. : to steal and carry away
intransitive verb
: to engage in ransacking and stealing
• ri·fler -f(ə-)lər noun
II. transitive verb
( ri·fled ; ri·fling -f(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: perhaps from French rifler to scratch, file, from Middle French, to scrape, plunder
Date: 1635
: to cut spiral grooves into the bore of
rifled arms
rifled pipe
III. noun
Date: 1770
1.
a. : a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore
b. : a rifled artillery piece
2. plural : soldiers armed with rifles
IV. transitive verb
( ri·fled ; ri·fling -f(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: rifle (III)
Date: 1937
: to propel (as a ball) with great force or speed