pistol

What it means

1. broadlyA handgunFirst known use 1570s
   1. broadlypreciseThe type of handgun with the chamber integral with the barrel.

      She leveled her pistol at the target.

2. The mechanical component of a fuse in a bomb or torpedo responsible for firing the detonator.

In a sentence

She leveled her pistol at the target.

Where it comes from

1. ItalianPistoia“a Tuscan town noted for its gunsmithing”
2. Italianpistolese“short dagger”
3. Proto-Balto-Slavic*pīṣk-
4. Proto-Slavic*piščalь
5. Czechpíšťala“firearm”
6. Middle Frenchpistolet“small firearm or small dagger”
7. Middle Englishpistolet
8. Middle Frenchpistole
9. Englishpistol

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”).

First known use: 1570s