pistol

A pistol is a small gun made to be held and fired with one hand. It is smaller than a rifle or shotgun, so people often carry it in a holster. You may read the word in stories about soldiers, police officers, or old Western characters. The word can also describe a lively person. If someone says a child is "a real pistol," they usually mean the child is full of energy and a little hard to control.

In its main meaning, a pistol is a small gun that a person can hold and fire with one hand. In everyday English, many people use the word for handguns in general, although some speakers use it more narrowly for a handgun that is not a revolver. Because it is compact and easy to carry, it is often used by police officers, soldiers, and private owners for close-range use. In stories and films, it often appears as a weapon worn at the hip or kept ready for quick use.

The word also has a second, informal meaning in English. If someone calls a person "a pistol," they mean that the person is lively, bold, amusing, or a bit wild. This use is often warm or playful rather than negative. A grandparent might laugh and say that a mischievous child is "a little pistol," meaning the child has a strong and spirited personality.

The word came into English centuries ago through French, and its deeper origin is uncertain. For most learners, the important point is this contrast in meaning: it usually refers to a real weapon, but in casual speech it can also describe a person with a lot of spirit. The surrounding words normally make the meaning clear.