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pistola

pistol

noun pee-STOH-lah Less Common
People & Society Military

Origin: Possibly from Pistoia, a Tuscan city historically known for metalwork.

Also means

gun

Usage Note

Pistola is a feminine noun (la pistola, plural le pistole). It specifically refers to a handgun or pistol, not a rifle (fucile) or generic firearm (arma da fuoco). In informal usage, pistola ad acqua means water pistol. The word may derive from the name of the Tuscan city Pistoia, where small firearms were manufactured in the Renaissance.

Examples

"Il poliziotto aveva una pistola alla cintura."

Natural Translation

The police officer had a pistol at his belt.

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