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.
<-- generically, also called handgun -->
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.