pistol

pis-tol · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.

  2. 2.

    (informal) A spirited, energetic, or mischievous person.

Forms

plural: pistols

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pistol-whip — To strike someone with the handle of a pistol
  • •
    smoking pistol/gun — Clear evidence of wrongdoing
  • •
    hold a pistol to someone's head — To force someone to do something through threats

Related words

See also: firearm, gun, pistols, revolver
Synonyms: firearm, handgun, revolver, sidearm

Etymology

From French pistole, from German Pistole, possibly from Czech pišťala ("pipe, whistle, gun"). The term came into English in the 16th century.