Pistol
Pistol , noun
[French pistole, pistolet, Italian pistola; prob. from a form Pistola, for Pistoja, a town in Italy where pistols were first made. Compare Pistole.]
The smallest firearm used, intended to be fired from one hand, -- now of many patterns, and bearing a great variety of names. See Illust. of Revolver.
Collocations (3)
Pistol carbine , a firearm with a removable but-piece, and thus capable of being used either as a pistol or a carbine.
Pistol pipe (Metallurgy) , a pipe in which the blast for a furnace is heated, resembling a pistol in form.
Pistol shot , (a) The discharge of a pistol (b) The distance to which a pistol can propel a ball.
Pistol , transitive verb
[Compare French pistoler.]
To shoot with a pistol.
To pistol a poacher.