Long-barreled firearms with spiral grooves in the bore designed for accurate long-range shooting. Also refers to troops armed with such weapons.
From Old French 'rifler' meaning 'to scratch or file,' referring to the spiral grooves cut into the gun barrel. The term evolved from describing the barrel's rifled interior to the weapon itself in the 18th century.
The rifling that gives rifles their name creates a gyroscopic spin that stabilizes the bullet's flight, dramatically improving accuracy over smooth-bore muskets. This innovation revolutionized warfare and hunting, making precise shots possible at distances previously unimaginable.
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