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Glite Dictionary
open sight

open sight

7.3
A simple part on a gun with an open notch for aiming
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : mirilla abierta
  • His father had the .270, and the boy carried an old Winchester .30-30 with open sights.

Examples

  • When aiming a rifle, having open sights can improve accuracy at short distances.

  • An alternative to barrage was to attach artillery directly to attacking infantry in a close support role, firing often over open sights at enemy centers of resistance.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Many experienced marksmen prefer to use open sights for better visibility while aiming.

  • The new model features open sights that allow for quick target acquisition in bright sunlight.

Synonyms

gun-sight
vsopen sight
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small device on a gun that helps you aim

is a specific rear aiming notch rather than a peephole or scope

How Precise

telescopic sight
  • Specialized
1 7.4
peep sight
  • Specialized
8.0
open sight
  • Specialized
7.3
sight
  • Specialized
91 6.6

Surface Forms

open sight singular
open sights plural

Morphology

open + sight

The noun phrase is compositionally literal: 'open' (allowing view) + 'sight' (an optical aiming device) straightforwardly denotes a sight that is open/not enclosed. This adjective + noun pattern is common and cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Open sight comes from a simple gun part used for aiming. The back piece has an open notch that you line up with the front sight and the target, so the image explains why the term means a sight you use to 'aim' quickly.