‖ chassepot|ʃaspo| [From the name of the inventor.] The type of breech-loading, centre-fire needle-gun adopted as the rifle of the French army in 1866. 1869Pall Mall G. 21 Aug. 13 He lies with his shoulder shattered by a chassepot.1870Disraeli Lothair lx, A brigade of French infantry armed with chassepots.