pistol
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈpɪstəl/
KK: /ˈpɪstl/
noun
Definition
A type of gun that is small enough to be held and fired with one hand.
Example
He carried a pistol for protection while hiking in the wilderness.
Conversation
Did you see that movie where the hero uses a pistol?
Yeah, it was so intense! I loved how he handled it.
I know, right? It made the action scenes really exciting.
Absolutely! A good pistol scene always adds to the thrill.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
handgun
revolver
sidearm
Antonyms
rifle
shotgun
carbine
transitive verb
Definition
To shoot someone or something using a small firearm designed to be held in one hand.
Example
He pistol whipped the intruder to defend his home.
Tense Forms
Past: pistoled
Past Participle: pistoled
Conversation
Did you see that movie where the hero has to pistol his way out of trouble?
Yeah, it was so intense! I loved the action scenes.
I can't believe how realistic the pistol shooting looked in that film.
Root Explanation
Pistol → The word 'pistol' originates from the French word 'pistole', which referred to a type of firearm. The term is believed to be derived from the name of a town in Hungary, 'Pistola', where such weapons were made. Thus, 'pistol' refers to a firearm associated with that specific place.
Memory Tip
Think of the French word 'pistole' and remember that a 'pistol' is a type of firearm named after a place where it was made.
Visually Confused Words
piso
peristole
epistomal
epistolic
epistolet
epistoler