mitrailleur
Definition
Noun: - A machine gunner: "mitrailleur" refers to a soldier who operates a machine gun, especially in a military context. - A machine gun: In some historical or technical usage, "mitrailleur" can also denote the weapon itself, though this is less common.
Usage Examples
- (The machine gunner kept shooting continuously.)
- (The machine gunner's job was essential.)
- (The machine gunner had additional rounds for the weapon.)
Advanced Usage
"mitrailleur's nest": a fortified position for a machine gunner.
- The enemy had set up a mitrailleur's nest on the hilltop. (A protected machine gun position.)
"to act as a mitrailleur": to perform the duties of a machine gunner.
- He was trained to act as a mitrailleur in the infantry unit. (He was prepared to operate a machine gun.)
Variants and Related Words
Mitrailleuse (n): a French term for a machine gun, especially an early multi-barrel type.
- The mitrailleuse was used by the French army in the 19th century. (An early machine gun.)
Mitrailler (v): to fire a machine gun; to shoot repeatedly.
- The troops began to mitrailler the advancing enemy. (They opened fire with machine guns.)
Synonyms
- Machine gunner: a soldier who operates a machine gun.
- Gunner: a general term for a person who operates a firearm, often a heavy weapon.
Related Idioms
- "Play the mitrailleur": a rare expression meaning to dominate a situation with overwhelming force or rapid action.
- In negotiations, he played the mitrailleur, firing off demands one after another. (He acted aggressively and rapidly.)