rifling
rifling Lexical Profile
rifling Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To search hurriedly and often roughly through a container, collection, or place in order to find or steal something (present participle of rifle).
"She spent ten minutes rifling through her desk drawers looking for the misplaced keys."
To hit, kick, or throw a ball or puck with great speed and force in a straight line (present participle of rifle).
"The midfielder scored the winning point by rifling the ball into the upper corner of the net."
To cut spiral grooves into the bore of a firearm barrel (present participle of rifle).
"Modern precision machinery has greatly improved the accuracy of rifling steel barrels."
• noun
The system of spiral grooves cut into the inside of a firearm barrel to impart a stabilizing spin to a projectile, or the process of cutting such grooves.
"The forensic specialist examined the unique markings left on the bullet by the barrel's rifling."
The act of searching hurriedly and thoroughly through something, often in order to steal or plunder.
"The scattered papers and overturned drawers were clear evidence of a hasty rifling of the office."
• Rhymes for rifling
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the verb 'rifle', which entered English in the mid-17th century from Old French 'rifler' (meaning 'to graze, scratch, or plunder'), of Germanic origin.