# pistol

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɪstəl/ · frequency rank #7,959

## Definitions
1. A handgun
2. A handgun
3. The mechanical component of a fuse in a bomb or torpedo responsible for firing the detonator.
4. A lively, high-energy person.
5. An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, but closer than in a shotgun formation, with a running back lined up behind him.

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **postal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pistol-vs-postal)
- **piston** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pistol-vs-piston)
- **pinto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pinto-vs-pistol)
- **pesto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pesto-vs-pistol)
- **pastor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pastor-vs-pistol)
- **pastel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pastel-vs-pistol)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ipstol`, `pisotl`, `pisstol`, `pistlo`, `pistoll`, `pisttol`, `pitsol`, `ppistol`, `psitol`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pistol