PIS'TOL, noun A small fire-arm, or the smallest fire-arm used, differing from a musket chiefly in size. Pistols are of different lengths, and borne by horsemen in cases at the saddle bow, or by a girdle. Small pistols are carried in the pocket. PIS'TOL, verb transitive To shoot with a pistol
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI