pistol

The story

1. Italian · derived fromPistoia“a Tuscan town noted for its gunsmithing”
2. Italian · derived frompistolese“short dagger”
3. Proto-Balto-Slavic · derived from*pīṣk-
4. Proto-Slavic · derived from*piščalь
5. Czech · derived frompíšťala“firearm”
6. Middle French · derived frompistolet“small firearm or small dagger”
7. Middle English · derived frompistolet
8. Middle French · derived frompistole
9. English todaypistol

Probably from Middle French pistole, or via Middle English pistolet, from Middle French pistolet (“small firearm or small dagger”). The origin is unclear. If via German to Romance probably from Middle High German forms like pischulle from Czech píšťala (“firearm”, literally “tube, pipe”), from Proto-Slavic *piščalь, from *piskati, *piščati (“to squeak, whistle”), from Proto-Balto-Slavic *pīṣk-. Alternatively, if from Romance to German, from or related to Italian pistolese (“short dagger”), from Italian Pistoia (“a Tuscan town noted for its gunsmithing”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 1570s A handgun
• 1570s The type of handgun with the chamber integral with the barrel.