pistol (pistol)

[Formerly also pistoll;= D. pistool = G. pistole = Sw. Dan. pistol, name appears to have been transferred from a dagger (a small sword) to a pistol (a small gun). Cf. pistole, and pistolet1, pistolet2.] A firearm intended to be held in one hand when aimed and fired. It came into use early in the sixteenth century, perhaps as early as 1500, for by 1520 it was common as a weapon of the reiters or German mercenary cavalry, IMG:content-0269.png:[blocks in formation] a, Highland pistol for horseman, 17th century; b, Highland pistol for the belt, 16th century; c, derringer. who were called pistoleers from its use. The early pistol was fitted with the wheel-lock, which was superseded by the flint-lock, and the latter by the percu ion-lock. Pistols with more than one barrel have been in use from the introduction of the weapon, those with two having the barrels sometimes side by side, sometimes one over the other. The stock of the pistol has been made of many forms, the old cavalry pistol having it only slightly curved, so that it was held, when pointed at an object, by the right hand, with the lock uppermost, the barrel to the left, the trigger to the right. When accurate aiming was required, as in dueling-pistols, the handle was made much more curved. See revolver. - Volta's pistol, a metallic ve el, closed by a cork, containing an explosive mixture of gases which may be ignited by an electric spark. pistol ( pis'tol ), v. t.; pret. and pp. pistoled or pistolled, ppr. pistoling or pistolling. [=F. pis toler; from the noun.] To shoot with a pistol. I do not like this humour in thee in pistoling men in this sort; it is a most dangerous and stigmatical humour. Chapman, Blind Beggar of Alexandria. This varlet afterwards threatened to pistol me. Evelyn, Diary, Aug. 1, 1644.