'Rifle pit' definitions:

Definition of 'Rifle pit'

From: GCIDE
  • Rifle \Ri"fle\, n. [Akin to Dan. rifle, or riffel, the rifle of a gun, a chamfer (cf. riffel, riffelb["o]sse, a rifle gun, rifle to rifle a gun, G. riefeln, riefen, to chamfer, groove), and E. rive. See Rive, and cf. Riffle, Rivel.]
  • 1. A gun, the inside of whose barrel is grooved with spiral channels, thus giving the ball a rotary motion and insuring greater accuracy of fire. As a military firearm it has superseded the musket. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. pl. (Mil.) A body of soldiers armed with rifles. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A strip of wood covered with emery or a similar material, used for sharpening scythes. [1913 Webster]
  • Rifle pit (Mil.), a trench for sheltering sharpshooters. [1913 Webster]