horse pistol

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noun

a large pistol formerly carried by horsemen.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of horse pistol

First recorded in 1695–1705

Words nearby horse pistol

horse nettle, Horsens, horse of a different color, horse opera, horse parlor, horse pistol, horseplay, horseplayer, horsepower, horsepower-hour, horsepox

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use horse pistol in a sentence

The craft fairly flew through the water in the direction of the rebel craft, whose horse-pistol amidship still remained silent.
The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers. Series 1|Robert H. Newell
Petronel, pet′ro-nel, n. a large horse-pistol: a small carbine.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
"I have a horse-pistol," said the physician with grave significance.
The Wolf Cub|Patrick Casey
When he returned, his huge horse-pistol was strapped to his waist.
The Wolf Cub|Patrick Casey

"Anderson, I want you to be very careful with that horse pistol," said his wife nervously.
The Daughter of Anderson Crow|George Barr McCutcheon

British Dictionary definitions for horse pistol

horse pistol

noun

a large holstered pistol formerly carried by horsemen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012