breechblock
9.9
A metal part inside a gun that opens to load and closes to fire
- noun
- /ˈbrēchˌbläk/
- Specialized
:
bloque de culata
- The soldier carefully inspected the breechblock to ensure it was properly secured before firing the weapon.
Examples
-
During the maintenance check, the technician replaced the worn breechblock to improve the firearm's performance.
-
Its breechblock was steely and cool.
Fiction book (1999) -
When loading the rifle, he slid the breechblock into place with a satisfying click.
Synonyms
21
9.1
A sliding metal part in a rifle that ejects and loads cartridges
focuses on moving to allow loading and closing rather than ejecting cartridges
9.9
A metal block that opens and closes the rear of a gun to allow loading a cartridge
has the same meaning and function but uses different wording
Surface Forms
breechblock singular
breechblocks plural
Etymology
Breechblock comes from two parts: breech, meaning the 'rear' or back part (as in old breeches, trousers), and block, meaning a 'piece that stops or closes'. So a breechblock is the metal block that closes the back of a gun's barrel and keeps it safe to fire.