| 释义 |
ˈrifleman
[f. rifle n.3 2.]
1. A soldier armed with a rifle; formerly the name of a member of certain specially raised regiments or companies, as in the American Revolution; one who shoots with a rifle.
1775Almon's Remembrancer I. 132/1 The Congress have ordered one thousand more markesmen, or, as we call them, rifle-men, to be raised. 1792Gentl. Mag. LXII. i. 175 Gen. Scott has proceeded towards Fort Jefferson with 1500 mounted militia and rifle-men. 1802James Milit. Dict., Mounted Riflemen, a corps of riflemen in the British service, dressed like hussars. 1836W. Irving Astoria (1849) 158 The loss of two..prime riflemen was a serious affair to the party. 1860G. H. K. Vac. Tour 140 Popping their heads round for an instant to fire a bark at you, and then dodge back like riflemen.
2. Ornith.
a. = rifle-bird. Also attrib.
1826Lesson & Garnot Voy. Coquille, Zoologie I. 669 Nous nous procurâmes un très-bel individu de l'epimaque royal à Sydney... Il..portait dans la colonie le nom vulgaire de riffle-man, pour rappeler que ce fut un soldat de la garnison qui le tua le premier. 1886Newton in Encycl. Brit. XX. 553/1 Rifleman-bird, or Rifle-Bird.
b. A diminutive New Zealand bird (Acanthidositta chloris).
1888Buller Birds N.Z. (ed. 2) I. 113 The Rifleman is the smallest of our New-Zealand birds. |