revolver
C1Neutral. Used in general, technical (firearms), and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A type of handgun with a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers, allowing several shots to be fired before reloading.
In broader contexts, a thing that revolves or rotates. Less commonly used to describe a revolving mechanism in machinery, or a person or thing that causes a significant change or 'revolution'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning is almost exclusively the firearm. The other senses are rare and highly context-dependent, often seen as metaphorical extensions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is international in firearms terminology.
Connotations
Often associated with the American 'Wild West' and frontier history in both cultures, though it is a standard technical term.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to gun culture and historical narratives, but the lexical item itself is equally known.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + drew/fired/loaded + [determiner] + revolverThe revolver + was + [past participle] (e.g., was loaded, was hidden)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Russian roulette (though not exclusive to revolvers, it traditionally uses one)”
- “spin the cylinder”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually none, unless in the specific business of firearms manufacturing or sales.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or criminology studies discussing weapons technology or crime.
Everyday
Used in general discussion about weapons, history, crime, or in metaphorical senses (e.g., 'He's a real revolving door of ideas').
Technical
Precise term in firearms engineering, distinguishing it from automatic and semi-automatic pistols based on its revolving cylinder mechanism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The revolver mechanism was jammed.
American English
- He preferred a revolver action for its simplicity.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cowboy had a big revolver.
- It is a dangerous weapon.
- The detective found an old revolver in the drawer.
- Unlike modern pistols, a revolver has a spinning cylinder.
- He spun the cylinder of his revolver before loading it carefully.
- The invention of the revolver significantly changed personal combat in the 19th century.
- The antique Colt revolver, with its ornate engraving, was more a work of art than a functional firearm.
- Her mind was a veritable revolver of anxieties, each chamber loaded with a different catastrophic scenario.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a revolving door. A REVOLVER has a cylinder that REVOLVES to bring a new bullet into place.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REVOLVER FOR PROBLEMS / IDEAS: Something that cycles through a set of options or issues repeatedly (e.g., 'The committee is a revolver of the same old arguments').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'револьверный' (revolver) as an adjective meaning 'revolving' in mechanical contexts, e.g., 'revolving door' is 'револьверная дверь'.
- The Russian borrowing 'револьвер' is a direct cognate, so meaning is clear, but cultural associations may differ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'revolver' to refer to any handgun (incorrectly including automatics).
- Spelling: 'revolvor', 'revolverr'.
- Confusing 'revolver' (noun) with 'revolve' (verb) in sentence construction.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the word 'revolver' be used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While all revolvers are pistols (handguns), not all pistols are revolvers. 'Pistol' is a broader category that includes semi-automatic and automatic handguns.
No, 'revolver' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'revolve'.
The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the 'Peacemaker', is iconic, particularly associated with the American Wild West.
It is a standard, neutral term. It is technical in firearms contexts and equally acceptable in general writing and speech.