smooth-bore
Definition
Noun:
- A type of firearm: A "smooth-bore" is a gun or cannon whose barrel has a smooth inner surface, without rifling (spiral grooves). This design is typical for shotguns and some older artillery.
- The barrel itself: The term can also refer specifically to the barrel of such a firearm, distinguished from a "rifled" barrel.
Adjective:
- Describing a firearm: "Smooth-bore" describes a gun or cannon that lacks rifling in its barrel.
- Example: a smooth-bore musket.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The hunter preferred a smooth-bore for shooting birds. (A gun with a smooth barrel, often a shotgun.)
- Old military smooth-bores were less accurate than modern rifles. (Historical cannons or muskets without rifling.)
Adjective:
- The soldier carried a smooth-bore musket. (A musket with a smooth inner barrel.)
- Smooth-bore barrels are easier to clean than rifled ones. (Barrels without grooves.)
Advanced Usage
"Smooth-bore cannon": A type of artillery used before the invention of rifling, often firing round shot or canister.
- Naval smooth-bore cannons were common in the 18th century. (Cannons with smooth barrels used on ships.)
"Smooth-bore shotgun": A modern firearm with a smooth barrel, designed to fire multiple pellets (shot) or a single slug.
- The smooth-bore shotgun is ideal for hunting waterfowl. (A shotgun without rifling.)
Variants and Related Words
Smoothbore (n/adj): An alternative spelling, equally common.
- The smoothbore design reduces projectile spin. (The same as "smooth-bore".)
Rifling (n): The spiral grooves cut into the barrel of a rifle to spin the projectile for greater accuracy.
- Unlike a smooth-bore, a rifle has rifling. (The opposite feature.)
Synonyms
Unrifled: lacking grooves inside the barrel.
- An unrifled barrel is another term for a smooth-bore. (Not rifled.)
Shotgun barrel: a specific type of smooth-bore used in shotguns.
- A shotgun barrel is always a smooth-bore. (The barrel of a shotgun.)
Related Idioms