rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryderringerSmall pistol
noun

derringer

DAIR-in-jer/ˈderɪndʒər/

A small pistol with a short barrel.

The small derringer has a short barrel and a curved grip.

An isolated compact derringer pistol in clear side view, its very short barrel and small curved grip immediately recognizable, with a plain coin beside it for scale.
Etymology
derringerEnglishgunsmith’s surname

The pistol takes its name from Henry Deringer, the gunsmith who invented it. His surname became the name for this compact, short-barreled weapon, effective at close range.

In context

HISTORY17:46
He needed to make sure his pistol was ready. He had decided to use a single shot Derringer pistol.
The Escape of John Wilkes Booth (S1, E4) | History's Greatest Mysteries | Full Episode

More examples

  • The detective found a derringer in the locked drawer.
  • The historical photograph showed a compact, short-barreled derringer.
  • The curator explained how a derringer differed from a full-sized service pistol.

Forms

derringer · derringers