revolver

[ ri-vol-ver ]

noun

1. a handgun having a revolving revolving chambered cylinder for holding a number of cartridges, which may be discharged in succession without reloading.
2. a person or thing that revolves.

revolver

/ rɪˈvɒlvə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of revolver¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; revolve + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Assistant director Dave Halls reportedly told Baldwin the revolver was “cold,” meaning it did not have live rounds, before he shot Hutchins and director Joel Souza, who survived.

From Quartz

The assistant director could only recall seeing three rounds when Gutierrez showed him the revolver before Baldwin rehearsed the scene.

From Washington Post

We see a distraught Martin show Kate a family heirloom, an antique revolver that he indicates he plans to use on himself.

From Washington Post

Paige Berhow, who retired as assistant police chief in the Ogden suburb of Riverdale and now lives in the city, became an officer in the early 1980s, when her on-duty equipment consisted of little more than a uniform and a revolver.

From MIT Technology Review

The city was quick to release a photo of a revolver the man was allegedly carrying and camera footage from a nearby business that appears to show a person raising an object before getting shot.

From Voice of San Diego

The cops gave chase and the gunman fired the big revolver twice more.

From The Daily Beast

Peters qualified as an “expert” on the M16A1 in 1993 and the .38 revolver in 1995.

From The Daily Beast

On November 4, 1928, someone put a revolver slug into Rothstein's body in Room 349 of the Park Central Hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Gdenisku displays for me an old revolver equipped with rubber bullets; this is the only weapon he bears.

From The Daily Beast

He orders a Smith Wesson .38 snub-​nosed revolver through the mail, using the same alias.

From The Daily Beast

A look of passion came into the face of the watching boy, and again he fingered his revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

During this conversation Harry's right hand was resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

"So that is Jim Poindexter, the bloody villain," muttered the boy between his set teeth, and nervously fingering his revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

Frank loosened his sword from its fastenings and took a revolver in his left hand, in which he also held the reins.

From Project Gutenberg

Instantly Longcluse had used his revolver; but before he could make assurance doubly sure, his quick ear detected a step outside.

From Project Gutenberg

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