Definition

1. Noun:
   • A light machine gun: A portable, automatic firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder or a bipod, capable of sustained rapid fire. It typically uses rifle ammunition and is operated by a single person.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The soldier was trained to operate the machine rifle effectively.
  • They deployed a machine rifle to provide suppressive fire for the advancing infantry.

Advanced Usage

• As a specific type of firearm: The term "machine rifle" is often used in historical or technical contexts to describe early automatic rifles or specific models of light machine guns, such as the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).
  • The museum displayed a World War II-era machine rifle.

Variants and Related Words

• Light machine gun (LMG): The more common modern term for a portable, automatic support weapon.
• Automatic rifle: A rifle capable of automatic fire, which can sometimes overlap in meaning with "machine rifle."
• Squad automatic weapon (SAW): A modern classification for a light machine gun used at the fireteam or squad level.

Synonyms

• Light machine gun
• Automatic rifle (in specific historical contexts)

Notes on Usage

• The term "machine rifle" is less common in contemporary military parlance than "light machine gun" or "squad automatic weapon." It often appears in historical descriptions or when referring to specific firearm models from the early to mid-20th century. It should not be confused with a standard assault rifle or a heavy machine gun.

Noun

1. light machine gun