light machine gun
1
4.9
- noun
- /laɪt məˈʃin ɡʌn/
- Specialized
:
ametralladora ligera
- The soldier quickly assembled the light machine gun to provide cover for his teammates.
- light machine gun fire
Examples
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During the battle, the squad relied on their light machine gun for suppressive fire while advancing.
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Take a light machine gun.
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The Herstal 556 light machine gun.
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Some of these items, such as grenades and light machine guns, were likely the types of weapons that Congress was worried about when drafting the NFA.
Academic text (2016) -
In the report, Bob Fowler often gets singled out for special mention, as if he were a favorite son or brother: "The enemy was compelled to retire upon receiving fire from the light machine guns in the weapons platoon, commanded by Lt. Fowler...
Academic text (1990) -
Each unit was armed with a light machine gun to enhance their firepower in combat situations.
Synonyms
101
3.5
A large gun that fires many bullets very quickly, often used by soldiers
How Heavy
- NSFW
101
3.5
- Specialized
1
4.9
- Specialized
8
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a machine gun that is lightweight and portable' is directly derivable from combining 'light' (having little weight) with 'machine gun' (an automatic firearm). This simple adjective + noun composition follows standard, cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should understand the phrase.
Etymology
Light machine gun gives a clear picture: a machine gun that is light enough for one soldier to carry and use. That's why it means 'a type of machine gun made to be smaller and easy to carry by a single soldier'.