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Pistol vs Sword - What's the difference?

pistol | sword |

As nouns the difference between pistol and sword

is that pistol is a handgun, (typically) with a chamber integrated in the barrel, a semi-automatic action and a box magazine while sword is (weaponry) a long-bladed weapon having a handle and sometimes a hilt and designed to stab, hew, or slice .

As a verb pistol

is to shoot (at) a target with a pistol.

pistol

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A handgun, (typically) with a chamber integrated in the barrel, a semi-automatic action and a box magazine.
  • The mechanical component of a fuse in a bomb or torpedo responsible for firing the detonator.
  • A creative and unpredictable jokester, a constant source of entertainment and surprises.
  • *
  • * February 2012 , Thomas Pugsley, Denial (episode) in :
  • KENT NELSON —Until my wife Inza convinced me there was more to life. Ah, she was a real pistol , that Inza.
  • * 2012 , Jimmy Correa, How My Prank Stories in ‘You Tube’ Made Me an Overnight Sensation , iUniverse, page 102:
  • She features so many dance tunes and is a pistol with her sharp an witty remarks.
  • (Southern US) A small boy who is bright, alert and very active.
  • (American football) A play formation in which the quarterback is a few feet behind the center when the ball is snapped, but closer than in a shotgun formation, with a running back a few feet behind him.
  • * (projectlink)
  • Usage notes

    Shooters normally differentiate between a pistol and a revolver, which is named after its rotating chamber; however, in common usage, the word (term) is also imprecisely used to refer to any type of handgun.

    Derived terms

    * machine pistol * muff pistol * pistol carbine * pistoleer * pistol grip * pistol pipe * pistol-whip * starting pistol * Very pistol

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To shoot (at) a target with a pistol.
  • See also

    * derringer * pistole * gat * rod

    Anagrams

    * ----

    sword

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (weaponry) A long-bladed weapon having a handle and sometimes a hilt and designed to stab, hew, or slice.
  • * 1591 , William Shakespeare, Henry VI , Part III, Act II, Scene II, line 59.
  • Unsheathe your sword and dub him presently.
  • * 1786 , Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons , page 49.
  • Some swords were also made solely to thrust, and some only to cut; others were equally adapted for both.
  • Someone paid to handle a sword.
  • (tarot) A suit in the minor arcana in tarot.
  • (tarot) A card of this suit.
  • (weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.
  • Derived terms

    * bastardsword * broadsword * double-edged sword * fall on one’s sword * longsword * pork sword * put to the sword * samurai sword * short sword * sword bayonet * swordbill * sword cane * swordcraft * sword dance * sword fern * swordfish * sword grass * sword knot * sword lily * sword of Damocles * swordbearer, sword-bearer * swordbearing, sword-bearing * swordplay * swordsman * swordsmanship * swordstick * sword-swallower

    Coordinate terms

    * (weaponry) bayonet, claymore, cutlass, epee, , falchion, foil, katana, knife, machete, rapier, sabre, saber, scimitar, vorpal, yataghan, yatagan

    Anagrams

    * words 1000 English basic words