cap gun

noun

1. cap pistol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cap gun¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

But it was his other early work, studying the spectroscopic fingerprint of hydrogen, that would prove crucial a decade later, when he discovered an object that made a supernova look like a child’s cap gun.

From Los Angeles Times

At last Brad fired his cap gun.

From Literature

The gang member fired a shot as he and Drake ran off, but the victims gave chase thinking the revolver was a cap gun, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

There were four pops in rapid succession, like a cap gun.

From Literature

There I am, with a cap gun and cowboy hat on Christmas morning some geologic age ago.

From The New Yorker