hand·gun

[hand-guhn]
noun
any firearm that can be held and fired with one hand; a revolver or a pistol.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English handgone. See hand, gun1

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
handgun (ˈhændˌɡʌn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
a firearm that can be held, carried, and fired with one hand, such as a pistol

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Handgun is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

handgun

any firearm small enough to be held in one hand when fired. It usually fires a single projectile or bullet, and additional ammunition may be available in a revolving mechanism or magazine. Handguns may be used for target shooting, hunting small game, or personal self-defense. Automatic handguns are illegal in many countries, and private ownership of any handgun is restricted in most of the world. See also automatic pistol; pistol; revolver.

Learn more about handgun with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Previous to this change, handgun carry permits were issued by local sheriff's
  offices.
Apply for or renew a permit to own a handgun, rifle, or shotgun.
He said he should be able to keep a handgun in his home for personal safety.
These firms cannot obtain a handgun license or renewal for you if you do not
  qualify, nor can they expedite your application.
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