revolver

[ ri-vol-ver ]

/ rɪˈvɒl vər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolver ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a handgun having a revolving chambered cylinder for holding a number of cartridges, which may be discharged in succession without reloading.

a person or thing that revolves.

Nearby words

revolutionary wars, revolutionist, revolutionize, revolutions of 1848, revolve, revolver, revolving, revolving charge account, revolving credit, revolving door, revolving fund

Origin of revolver

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; revolve + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for revolver

Peters qualified as an “expert” on the M16A1 in 1993 and the .38 revolver in 1995.
The (Sloppy) Swift-Boating of Michigan Democrat Gary Peters|Tim Mak|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On November 4, 1928, someone put a revolver slug into Rothstein's body in Room 349 of the Park Central Hotel.
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man|John Lardner|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Carson replied yes, Morales allegedly shot him in the head with a revolver.
New York Shooting Highlights Surge in Hate Crimes|Eliza Shapiro|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She had been shot with a revolver by the front door, he with a military-style .223 rifle toward the back of the house.
Eric Williams Arrested After Shooting Deaths of Texas Prosecutors|Michael Daly|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It's hard to hit a target with a revolver, and you get only six tries.
David's Bookclub: Private Guns, Public Health|David Frum|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tommy was not inclined to check his pace, but a revolver in the hands of the fellow induced him to do so.
Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone|G. Harvey Ralphson
He came up in a furious rage, cursing us and brandishing a revolver.
The Escaping Club|A. J. Evans
Convinced that the visitor was Soma, I pulled out my revolver and waited, wondering as I watched what he intended to do.
The White Waterfall|James Francis Dwyer
Gazing toward Stonington Hunt, Tubby saw that the man held a revolver in his hand.
The Boy Scouts' Mountain Camp|John Henry Goldfrap
At their head loomed a burly black-whiskered creature with a revolver in each hand—the malignant Schwandorf himself.
The Pathless Trail|Arthur O. (Arthur Olney) Friel

British Dictionary definitions for revolver

revolver

/ (rɪˈvɒlvə) /

noun

a pistol having a revolving multichambered cylinder that allows several shots to be discharged without reloading

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

Word Origin and History for revolver

revolver

type of pistol, 1835, agent noun from revolve. So called by U.S. inventor Samuel Colt (1814-1862) for its revolving chamber cylinder.

revolver

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of revolver

Examples from the Web for revolver

British Dictionary definitions for revolver

revolver

noun

Word Origin and History for revolver

revolver