Basic Guidelines For English Spellings
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1rare A small firearm; = "pistol".
2A small bread roll, originally from Belgium.
Mid 16th century. From Middle French pistolet small firearm, pistol, apparently from pistole (although this is first attested slightly later) + -et; compare also slightly earlier pistolet.
A Spanish gold escudo; (also) a Spanish double-escudo; = "pistole". Also occasionally: any of various other gold coins of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Mid 16th century. From French †pistolet, of uncertain origin; perhaps the same word as pistolet (although this is first attested slightly later), with reference to the small size of the coins.