franc-tireur

[ frahn-tee-rœr ]

/ frɑ̃ tiˈrœr /

a sharpshooter in the French army.

Origin of franc-tireur

First recorded in 1800–10

Sure enough, around the bend in the road slunk a franc-tireur, loaded down with what appeared to be mail-sacks.

Lorraine |Robert W. Chambers
A franc-tireur fired at them point-blank, and the bullet whistled between them.

Lorraine |Robert W. Chambers
Is a peasant or franc-tireur to be allowed to endanger hundreds of those lives by removing a rail or laying a stone upon the line?

The Rise of Rail-Power in War and Conquest, 1833-1914 |Edwin A. Pratt
I see that yesterday a Franc-tireur was tried for breaking his musket when ordered to march.

Diary of the Besieged Resident in Paris |Henry Labouchre

A footfall sounded on the dead leaves behind him, and a franc-tireur touched him on the shoulder.

Lorraine |Robert W. Chambers

franc-tireur

/ French (frɑ̃tirœr) /

a sniper

a guerrilla or irregular soldier

C19: from franc free + tireur shooter, from tirer to shoot, of unknown origin