Carbine is a firearm characterized by a short barrel and a lightweight design. The spelling of this word is unique, as it uses the letter combination "bine" to represent the sound /baɪn/. This sound is a combination of the "i" and "n" sounds, which blend together to create a single syllable. The "c" represents a hard "k" sound, and the "a" and "r" are pronounced as usual. Overall, the spelling of "carbine" accurately reflects the pronunciation of the word in IPA transcription.
A carbine is a lightweight, typically shorter-barreled firearm that is designed to be used in close-quarters combat or by mounted soldiers. It is a shortened version of a rifle, usually chambered for intermediate-sized ammunition, such as .223 Remington or 7.62x39mm.
Carbines are typically semi-automatic or select-fire firearms, meaning they can fire one round per trigger pull or continuously until the trigger is released, respectively. They often have a detachable magazine that holds multiple rounds of ammunition, which allows for quick reloads during combat situations.
Due to their compact size and reduced weight, carbines offer increased maneuverability and portability, making them ideal for use in urban environments, dense forests, or during mounted operations. They are commonly used by military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and for personal defense.
The shorter barrel length of a carbine, compared to a standard rifle, results in reduced muzzle velocity and potential loss of accuracy at longer distances. However, they make up for it with increased handling and versatility in close-quarters engagements.
The term "carbine" is derived from the French word "carabine," which was originally a smoothbore musket used by cavalry troops in the 17th century. Over time, the design evolved to feature rifling, improved mechanisms, and shorter barrels, giving birth to the modern carbine we know today.
• See Carabine.
• A short gun carried by a cavalry soldier.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "carbine" originated from the French word "carabine", which was derived from the Middle French term "escarrabin" or "escarrabinus". This Middle French term referred to a kind of small harquebus or musket that was initially used by the carabiniers, a type of light cavalry, in the 15th century. The ultimate origin of "carabine" and "escarrabin" is uncertain, but some speculate that it may be related to the Italian word "carabinieri", denoting various types of soldiers.