Handgun Meaning
/ˈhændˌɡʌn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA small gun with a relatively short barrel, designed to be held and operated with a single hand.
Sentence Examples
Do you own a handgun?
Fadil purchased a handgun.
Layla's only defense against the dingos was a handgun.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found a ____ hidden in the drawer.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The detective checked his ____ before carefully entering the dark and abandoned building.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *handuz Proto-West Germanic *handu Old English hand Middle English hond English hand Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰen- Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰéntis Proto-Germanic *gunþiz Old Norse gunnr Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂-der. Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂tís Proto-Germanic *hildiz Old Norse hildr Old Norse Gunnhildrder. Middle English gunne English gun English handgun From hand + gun.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Petric used his father's key to open a lockbox and remove a 9mm handgun and the game."
— 2009 January 13, M. R. Kropko, “Video-game addiction rejected as defence”, in Toronto Star:
"A related design and marketing innovation has been the sale to civilians of “vest busters,” handguns specifically designed to penetrate body armor."
— 2013, Tom Diaz, The Last Gun: How Changes in the Gun Industry are Killing Americans and what it Will Take to Stop it, page 166:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found a ____ hidden in the drawer.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The detective checked his ____ before carefully entering the dark and abandoned building.