pistol — a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɪstəl/
Example Sentences
- The cowboy's water pistol was more dangerous than his real one - it was filled with hot sauce!
- She aimed the starting pistol at the sky and fired to begin the race.
- The police officer kept his pistol securely in his holster during the peaceful demonstration.
pistol
NOUN[/ˈpɪstəl/]
a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from 16th-century French 'pistole', which came from Italian 'pistolese', meaning 'of Pistoia'. Pistoia, a city in Italy, was renowned for its early firearms manufacturing during the Renaissance, and the weapon became associated with the city's name.
Breakdown
pistole (French) < pistolese (Italian, meaning 'of/from Pistoia') < Pistoia (Italian city name). The suffix -ese indicates origin or relation to a place, forming an adjective that eventually became the noun for the weapon itself.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cowboy's water pistol was more dangerous than his real one - it was filled with hot sauce!”
“She aimed the starting pistol at the sky and fired to begin the race.”
“The police officer kept his pistol securely in his holster during the peaceful demonstration.”
“My grandfather's antique pistol collection includes models from three different centuries.”
📚Related Words
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