rifling

Pluralriflings (some meanings)

1. 1
   noununcountable

   The set of spiral grooves cut inside a gun barrel that make a bullet spin.

   Like the curved lines inside a tube that make a ball spin as it shoots out.

   The rifling inside the barrel makes the bullet spin as it flies.

   Worn rifling can make an old gun shoot less accurately.

   Note
2. 2
   verb

   Present participle of rifle. Use this -ing form when the action is happening right now.

   He was rifling through the drawers looking for the spare keys.

   She caught the thief rifling through her bag on the train.

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   The job of cutting spiral grooves into the inside of a gun barrel.

   Like carving twisting grooves into a tube, except the tube is a gun barrel.

   The rifling of the new barrels took several days at the factory.

   Careful rifling helps each gun shoot straight.

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A way of letting playing cards drop one by one with your thumb controlling the flow.

   Like letting sand slip slowly from your hand, but with cards instead.

   The magician's rifling sent the cards smoothly into his other hand.

   She practiced rifling until the cards fell in an even stream.

   Note

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