semiautomatic

[sem-ee-aw-tuh-mat-ik, sem-ahy-] /ˌsɛm iˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk, ˌsɛm aɪ-/
adjective
1.
partly automatic.
2.
(of a firearm) automatically ejecting the cartridge case of a fired shot and loading the next cartridge from the magazine but requiring a squeeze of the trigger to fire each individual shot.
noun
3.
a self-loading rifle or other firearm.
Origin
1890-95; semi- + automatic
Related forms
semiautomatically, adverb
Examples from the web for semiautomatic
  • semiautomatic pistols generally have the caliber information on the slide.
  • These do not have a selector and operate only in the semiautomatic mode.
  • When testing for firearm function of semiautomatic pistols and full automatic firearms, more than one cartridge should be used.
British Dictionary definitions for semiautomatic

semiautomatic

/ˌsɛmɪˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
adjective
1.
partly automatic
2.
(of a firearm) self-loading but firing only one shot at each pull of the trigger Compare automatic (sense 5)
noun
3.
a semiautomatic firearm
Derived Forms
semiautomatically, adverb