'Pistol' definitions:

Definition of 'pistol'

(from WordNet)
noun
A firearm that is held and fired with one hand [syn: pistol, handgun, side arm, shooting iron]

Definition of 'Pistol'

From: GCIDE
  • Pistol \Pis"tol\, n. [F. pistole, pistolet, It. pistola; prob. from a form Pistola, for Pistoja, a town in Italy where pistols were first made. Cf. Pistole.] The smallest firearm used, intended to be fired from one hand, -- now of many patterns, and bearing a great variety of names. See Illust. of Revolver. [1913 Webster]
  • Pistol carbine, a firearm with a removable but-piece, and thus capable of being used either as a pistol or a carbine.
  • Pistol pipe (Metal.), a pipe in which the blast for a furnace is heated, resembling a pistol in form.
  • Pistol shot. (a) The discharge of a pistol. (b) The distance to which a pistol can propel a ball. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pistol'

From: GCIDE
  • Pistol \Pis"tol\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pistoled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pistoling.] [Cf. F. pistoler.] To shoot with a pistol. "To pistol a poacher." --Sydney Smith. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'pistol'

From: Moby Thesaurus