rifle
UK[ˈraɪfl̩]US[ˈraɪfl̩]
n
A gun with a long barrel that is designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a spiral pattern (rifling) cut inside the barrel to make the bullet spin and travel more accurately.
v
To search through something quickly and roughly in order to find or steal something.
Etymology
The word 'rifle' originates from the Old French verb 'rifler', meaning "to scratch, scrape, or plunder." This term was used to describe the action of raiding or ransacking. The connection to the firearm emerged in the 17th century, referring to the "rifling" or spiral grooves scratched or cut into the interior of a gun barrel. Thus, the modern noun for the weapon derives from the verb describing the process of making it, which itself evolved from a more general term for scraping and plundering.
Analysis
The word 'rifle' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It does not break down into smaller, meaningful morphemes within its current English spelling. The core element 'rifle' itself functions as the root.
Examples
The hunter carefully cleaned his rifle after a day in the woods.
Thieves managed to rifle the contents of the safe before the alarm sounded.
She used a .22 caliber rifle for target practice at the range.