pistol

[pis-tl]

noun

1. a short firearm intended to be held and fired with one hand.

verb (used with object)

pistoled, pistoling , pistolled, pistolling .

1. to shoot with a pistol.

pistol

/ ˈpɪstəl /

noun

1. a short-barrelled handgun

2. to threaten a person in order to force him to do what one wants

verb

1. (tr) to shoot with a pistol

Other Word Forms

• pistollike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pistol¹

1560–70; < Middle French pistole < German, earlier pitschal, pitschole, petsole < Czech píšt’ala literally, pipe, fife, whistle (presumably a slang term for a type of light harquebus employed during the Hussite wars), akin to pištět to squeak, peep

Word History and Origins

Origin of pistol¹

C16: from French pistole, from German, from Czech pišt'ala pistol, pipe; related to Russian pischal shepherd's pipes

Example Sentences

There is a refreshing absence of guns — none of those Kevlar-clad teams going in with pistols raised.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Klass became upset when she was asked about being told how Royal Mail had intercepted an air pistol addressed to her.

From BBC

He added that the principle of the proportionality of force is violated "if you use anything more than a pistol".

From BBC

For national leaders, the pistol duel was not just about honor.

From Salon

Congressmen regularly pulled knives and pistols on one another.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• firearm 
• gun 
• handgun 
• rod