derringer

or der·in·ger

[ der-in-jer ]

noun

1. an early short-barreled pocket pistol.

derringer

/ ˈdɛrɪndʒə /

noun

1. a short-barrelled pocket pistol of large calibre

Word History and Origins

Origin of derringer¹

1850–55, Americanism; named after Henry Deringer, mid-19th-century American gunsmith who invented it

Word History and Origins

Origin of derringer¹

C19: named after Henry Deringer, American gunsmith who invented it

Example Sentences

“Leigh Anne showed [Bullock] her cute little pearl-handled Derringer,” Hancock says.

From The Daily Beast

The pistol you hold in your hand is a derringer, I presume, loaded.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack says, 'You lie, G-d d-mn you,' and draws his derringer.

From Project Gutenberg

He took from an inner pocket of his coat a derringer with silver mountings, laid it meaningly upon the bar.

From Project Gutenberg

We were jumped not ten miles out of town, and before any one could draw a Derringer every man of us was covered.

From Project Gutenberg

Le Gaire stood sideways, the muzzle of his derringer covering me, his left hand supporting his elbow.

From Project Gutenberg