ˈkärˌbēn, ˈkȧˌb-, -īn also -bə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: French carabine carbine, carabineer, from Middle French carabin harquebusier, carabineer, probably alteration of escarrabin, scarrabin preparer of plague corpses for burial, probably alteration of scarabée dung beetle — more at scarab
1.
a. : a short-barreled shoulder firearm used by cavalry
b. : any short-barreled lightweight rifle
2. : a light automatic or semiautomatic military rifle using ammunition of relatively low power and often issued to troops that are not primarily riflemen