derringer Definition
a small, short-barreled pocket pistol, typically used for self-defense at close range.
Using derringer: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "derringer" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The derringer was a popular choice for gamblers and women in the Old West.
Example
The assassin pulled out a derringer from his coat pocket and fired at the president.
Example
She kept a derringer in her purse for protection.
derringer Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with derringer
sawed-off derringer
a derringer that has been modified by sawing off part of the barrel or stock, making it easier to conceal
Example
The criminal pulled out a sawed-off derringer and demanded money from the cashier.
a derringer that is designed to be easily concealed, often used as a backup weapon
Example
The detective found a hideout derringer in the suspect's jacket pocket.
a slang term for a derringer or other small handgun that is carried in a concealed location on the body
Example
The criminal pulled out his belly gun and threatened the store clerk.
Origins of derringer
named after Henry Deringer, a 19th-century American gunsmith who invented it
Summary: derringer in Brief
A 'derringer' [ˈdɛrɪndʒər] is a small, short-barreled pocket pistol used for self-defense at close range. It was named after Henry Deringer, an American gunsmith who invented it. The term includes phrases like 'sawed-off derringer,' which refers to a modified version of the weapon, and 'belly gun,' a slang term for a concealed derringer.
