2. pl. (Mil.)
Defn: A body of soldiers armed with rifles.
3. A strip of wood covered with emery or a similar material, used for sharpening scythes. Rifle pit (Mil.), a trench for sheltering sharpshooters.
RIFLE
Ri"fle, v. t.
1. To grove; to channel; especially, to groove internally with spiral channels; as, to rifle a gun barrel or a cannon.
2. To whet with a rifle. See Rifle, n., 3.
RIFLEBIRD
Ri"fle*bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of beautiful birds of Australia and New Guinea, of the genera Ptiloris and Craspidophora, allied to the paradise birds.
Note: The largest and best known species is Ptiloris paradisea of Australia. Its general color is rich velvety brown, glossed with lilac; the under parts are varied with rich olive green, and the head, throat, and two middle tail feathers are brilliant metallic green.
RIFLEMAN
Ri"fle*man, n.; pl. Rifleman (. (Mil.)