carbine
n.n. a short, light rifle that is easier to carry and use in tight spaces than a regular long rifle.
n. a short, light rifle, typically designed for use by soldiers or hunters in confined environments.
The soldier carried a carbine for close combat.
During the battle, the infantry relied on the carbine to move quickly through the dense forest.
The transition from the heavy musket to the lighter carbine allowed for greater mobility on the battlefield, fundamentally changing the tactics of 19th-century warfare.
Ca. 1600, from French carabine. Doublet of carabine.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 20, 2026