handgun — (n.) 1680s, from HAND (Cf. hand) (n.) + GUN (Cf. gun) (n.) … Etymology dictionary
handgun — ► NOUN ▪ a gun designed for use by one hand, chiefly either a pistol or a revolver … English terms dictionary
handgun — [hand′gun΄] n. any firearm that is held and fired with one hand, as a pistol … English World dictionary
Handgun — A handgun is a firearm designed to be held in the hand when used. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from their larger counterparts: long guns such as rifles and shotguns, mounted weapons such as machine… … Wikipedia
handgun — UK [ˈhæn(d)ˌɡʌn] / US noun [countable] Word forms handgun : singular handgun plural handguns a small gun that is used with one hand … English dictionary
handgun — [[t]hæ̱ndgʌn[/t]] handguns also hand gun N COUNT A handgun is a gun that you can hold, carry, and fire with one hand … English dictionary
handgun — /ˈhændgʌn/ (say handgun) noun a firearm that can be held and operated in one hand, as a pistol, revolver, etc. –handgunner, noun … Australian-English dictionary
handgun — noun Date: 15th century a firearm (as a revolver or pistol) designed to be held and fired with one hand … New Collegiate Dictionary
handgun — noun A small, hand held gun with a relatively short barrel. Syn: pistol … Wiktionary
handgun — hand|gun [ˈhændgʌn] n a small gun that you hold in one hand when you fire it … Dictionary of contemporary English
