single-action
UK[ˈsɪŋɡl ˈækʃn]US[ˈsɪŋɡl ˈækʃn]
adj
(of a firearm) requiring the hammer to be cocked by hand before each shot.
adj
(of a mechanism or device) performing its operation in one stroke or cycle.
Morpheme Breakdown
single
action
single
one
action
operation
Etymology
The compound "single-action" is a modern English formation, combining two words of Latin origin to create a precise technical descriptor. The adjective "single," tracing back to Latin singulus, conveys the core idea of "one" or "individual." It is paired with "action," derived from Latin agere (to drive, act), which denotes a process of doing or operating. When combined, the term literally means "one operation," a logic directly reflected in its modern definitions for mechanisms, most famously describing a revolver where the trigger performs only the single action of releasing the hammer.
Analysis
Structure: single (one) + action (operation)
- single: From Latin singulus (one, individual, separate). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning "one" or "only one".
- action: From Latin actio (a doing, performance), from actus, past participle of agere (to drive, do, act). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "operation" or "movement".
Examples
The classic Colt Peacemaker is a famous example of a single-action revolver.
This single-action pump requires a full stroke to dispense the liquid.
In older firearms, the single-action design was simpler but slower to fire than double-action models.