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REFERENCE

pistol

n. · v.
US //ˈpɪstəɫ// UK //pˈɪstəl// pis·tol
  1. 1 a handgun (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small gun that is designed to be held and fired with one hand.

    a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand, typically a semi-automatic or a revolver.

    Example

    The officer carried a pistol in a holster on his belt.

    Example

    The museum's collection includes several ornate duelling pistols from the eighteenth century, each featuring intricate silver engravings on the barrel.
  2. 2 an energetic person (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal American English

    a person who is very lively, energetic, or determined.

    a person characterised by high energy, spirit, or a feisty temperament.

    Example

    Even at eighty years old, my grandmother is a real pistol.

    Example

    The new intern is a total pistol, constantly pitching ambitious ideas and working late to ensure every detail is perfect.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a complimentary but informal Americanism; it suggests the person is small but powerful or surprisingly active.
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  1. 3 football formation (n.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Technical Sport

    a specific way players stand in American football to start a play.

    an offensive formation in American football where the quarterback stands a few yards behind the centre with a running back behind him.

    Example

    The team switched to the pistol formation to confuse the defense.

    Example

    By utilising the pistol formation, the offense was able to maintain a strong running game while still threatening a quick passing attack.

  2. 4 mechanical fuse (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the part of a bomb or torpedo that makes it explode.

    the mechanical device in a bomb, mine, or torpedo that triggers the detonator upon impact or at a set time.

    Example

    The technician carefully inspected the pistol of the torpedo before loading it.

    Example

    The failure of the weapon was attributed to a faulty pistol that failed to ignite the main explosive charge upon contact with the hull.
    • firing mechanism
    • detonator
  3. 5 to shoot (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to shoot someone or something with a pistol.

    to shoot a target or individual using a handgun.

    Example

    The outlaw was pistoled during the confrontation at the saloon.

    Example

    In the final chapter of the novel, the protagonist is pistoled by his rival in a dramatic showdown on the cliffs.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

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”).

Idioms1 entry

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