pistol English · revision 15118

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1570|origins=cs píšťala}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpɪs.təl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|pistole|t=short firearm]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[de|Pistole]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[cs|píšťala|t=pipe, whistle, firearm]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)^(Collins 2023) from [[m|cs|pištěti|t=to squeak, whistle]], of imitative origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The word spread through Europe after the Hussite Wars of the 15th century, the first in which hand guns mattered.^(Cresswell 2021) Merriam-Webster traces the German word through Silesian dialect,^(MWU 2024) and Etymonline calls the French word of uncertain origin.^(Etymonline) The earlier form [[pistolet]] (1550), from [[frm|pistolet]], may instead be connected with [[it|pistolese]], from the Tuscan town of Pistoia, known for its gunsmiths.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ About 1570, in Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Queen Elizabeth's Academy.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, to shoot with a pistol, is from 1607.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Troops armed with pistols were called pistols in 1598.^(OED 1989) The ''pistol grip'' is from 1874, and ''to pistol-whip'' by 1942.^(Etymonline) In athletics, ''to beat the pistol'' is to make a false start (1905).^(OED 1989) In the dialects of Cumberland, Westmorland and Yorkshire pistol was a term of derision.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1550 – pistolet.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1570 – pistol.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1607 – to pistol (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1874 – pistol grip.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1905 – to beat the pistol.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1942 – pistol-whip.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A short-barrelled firearm held and fired with one hand; a [[handgun]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''hold a pistol to someone's head'': to threaten someone to force them to do something.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To shoot with a pistol.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[pistollike]]

+ * [[pistoleer]]

+ * [[pistol-whip]]

+ * [[air pistol]]

+ * [[cap pistol]]

+ * [[horse pistol]]

+ * [[water pistol]]

+ * [[machine pistol]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pistole]]

+ * [[handgun]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}