softnose UK /ˈsɒftnəʊz/US /ˈsɔftˌnoʊz/adjective 1noun 1forms 1 adjective1 •Of a bullet: lacking a jacketed nose and thereby deforming greatly on impact, causing a large amount of damage; soft-nosed.When I got the rifle I shot a coyote in a trap, to see what effect the soft nose bullet would have. He was struck back of shoulder, and a hole torn, where bullet entered, about 3½ inches in diameter. — 1898 noun1 •A bullet of this kind; (uncountable) bullets of this kind collectively.The soft nose when it strikes a hard substance, mushrooms, would leave ten times as large a hole as a hard nose bullet striking the same substance. A soft nose bullet would leave a ragged edge. — 1935 formssoftnoses
