pistole

pistole · noun¹

1. Proto-Balto-Slavic · derived from*pīṣk-
2. Proto-Slavic · derived from*piščalь
3. Czech · derived frompíšťala“whistle”
4. French · borrowed frompistole
5. English todaypistole

Borrowed from French pistole, of uncertain origin. Probably ultimately from Czech píšťala (“whistle”), from Proto-Slavic *piščalь, from *piskati, *piščati (“to squeak, whistle”), from Proto-Balto-Slavic *pīṣk-. Alternatively, perhaps from Pistoia (a city in Tuscany).

Pistole · proper noun²

1. German · borrowed fromPistole“pistol”
2. English todayPistole

Borrowed from German Pistole (“pistol”), probably a nickname for an aggressive person.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. A Spanish gold double-escudo coin of the mid-sixteenth century, or any of various gold coins derived from or based on this.