a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
"The detective carefully inspected the small pistol found in his pocket to see if it was loaded."
A handgun, typically with a chamber integrated in the barrel, a semi-automatic action and a box magazine.
"The detective examined the pistol lying on the floorboards before loading his own weapon."
In plain English: A pistol is a small handgun that you hold and fire with one hand.
"The detective carefully examined every detail at the crime scene where he found an old pistol on the floor."
Usage: Use this word to refer specifically to small handheld firearms rather than larger guns like rifles or shotguns. When used as a verb, it describes the act of shooting at someone or something with such a weapon.
To shoot (at) a target with a pistol.
"The sharp crack echoed as he fired his pistol at the moving target downrange."
In plain English: To pistol means to shoot someone with a handgun, though this word is rarely used and usually replaced by just saying "shoot."
"The strong wind pistoled his hat off, but he managed to catch it before it hit the ground."
The word "pistol" likely entered English through Middle French as a term for either a small firearm or a short dagger. Its ultimate roots may trace back to Slavic languages describing the squeaking sound made by an air-filled whistle, which was applied to early tube-like guns.