from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pistol \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}.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]