An air pistol is a small gun which is fired by means of air pressure.
air pistol in British English
(ɛə ˈpɪstəl)
noun
another name for airgun
air pistol in American English
noun
a pistol that utilizes compressed air rather than ignited gunpowder to propel a single shot, often a pellet
Word origin
[1955–60]This word is first recorded in the period 1955–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: backgrounder, life-support, opioid, rollout, software