derringer

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word derringer. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word derringer, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say derringer in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word derringer you have here. The definition of the word derringer will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofderringer, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: Deringer, Derringer, and deringer

English

John Wilkes Booth's derringer
A modern double-barreled 2-shot derringer

Alternative forms

Etymology

Named after American gunsmith Henry Deringer Junior (1786–1868).

Pronunciation

Noun

derringer (plural derringers)

  1. A type of very small, concealable pistol with one or two barrels, but without any loading system or magazine.
    • 1887, H[enry] Rider Haggard, chapter IV, in Allan Quatermain‎:
      “Afraid? Oh no! they never interfere with me. […] And look here,” and diving her little hand into the bodice of her dress she produced a double-barrelled nickel-plated Derringer, “I always carry that loaded, and if anybody tried to touch me I should shoot him […] ”

Usage notes

The spelling and capitalisation of the word has varied since the pistols were first designed, with Deringer being the original usage. In the late 1850s, misspellings added another R to the name, Derringer, which remained capitalised. Lower case versions of both spellings were in use soon after. The fifth edition Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in 1937 lists the now common spelling of derringer.

References

  • Guns of the Old West, Charles Edward Chapel, 1961. Chapter VI.

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia