World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesHandgun
/ˈhænd.ɡʌn/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A firearm designed to be held and fired with one or both hands, such as a pistol or revolver.
"The police officer drew his handgun when the suspect failed to comply with orders." - 2
A portable short-barreled weapon capable of firing projectiles using an explosive charge.
"Collectors often seek out antique handguns from the nineteenth century."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Middle English elements 'hand' and 'gun', originally referring to early portable firearms developed in the late medieval period. Over centuries, the term evolved specifically to designate firearms designed to be held and fired with one or both hands, distinct from shoulder-fired long guns.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Handgun"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Handgun" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
arme de poing
Transliteration: arm de pwan
"Il portait une arme de poing cachée dans sa veste."
Handfeuerwaffe
Transliteration: hant-foyer-vaffe
"Die Polizei fand eine Handfeuerwaffe am Tatort."
arma corta
Transliteration: arma corta
"Deteneva un'arma corta senza regolare permesso."
arma corta
Transliteration: arma corta
"La policía confiscó un arma corta durante el registro."
arma de fogo
Transliteration: arma de fogo
"Ele foi pego portando uma arma de fogo ilegal."
पिस्तौल
Transliteration: pistol
"पुलिस को घटनास्थल से एक पिस्तौल मिली।"
手枪
Transliteration: shǒu qiāng
"警察在嫌疑人身上搜出了一把手枪。"
권총
Transliteration: gwonchong
"경찰관이 은밀하게 권총을 꺼내 들었다."
拳銃
Transliteration: kenjū
"警察官が容疑者の所持品から拳銃を押収した。"
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