pistol

American  

[pis-tl] / ˈpɪs tl /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

pistoled, pistoling, pistolled, pistolling

1. to shoot with a pistol.

pistol British  

/ ˈpɪstəl /

noun

1. a short-barrelled handgun

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

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verb

1. (tr) to shoot with a pistol

Other Word Forms

• pistollike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pistol

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

Compare meaning

How does pistol compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• revolver vs. pistol

Example Sentences

A prominent heating stove will become as much a part of Hedda’s arsenal as her precious pistols.

From Los Angeles Times

He was carrying an assault weapon, a pistol and the equivalent of nearly $1.4 million on him when he died, Trevilla added.

From Barron's

Eliminated exams include “Judgment pistol shooting,” “Criminal encounters,” and “Determine removability.”

From Los Angeles Times

Today, its pistols, shotguns and other weaponry are used by militaries and hobbyists around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

The images also showed that the person was carrying a holstered pistol.

From Salon

Related Words

• firearm
• gun
• handgun
• rod