pistole

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pis·tole

(pĭ-stōl′)

1. A gold coin equal to two escudos, formerly used in Spain.

2. Any of several gold coins used in various European countries until the late 1800s.

[French, back-formation from pistolet, diminutive of pistole, pistol; see pistol.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pistole

(pɪsˈtəʊl)

(Currencies) any of various gold coins of varying value, formerly used in Europe

[C16: from Old French, shortened from pistolet, literally: little pistol]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pis•tole

(pɪˈstoʊl)

n.

1. a former gold coin of Spain, equal to two escudos.

2. any of various former gold coins of Europe, as the louis d'or.

[1585–95; < Middle French]

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References in classic literature ?

"Richelieu," thought D'Artagnan, "would have given me five hundred pistoles in advance."

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"I have still two hundred and seventy-four pistoles left, and I feel myself rich.

He struck the bag of pistoles with his clenched hand as he spoke, and it fell heavily to the ground.

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When D'Artagnan was out of the Louvre, and consulted his friends upon the use he had best make of his share of the forty pistoles, Athos advised him to order a good repast at the Pomme-de-Pin, Porthos to engage a lackey, and Aramis to provide himself with a suitable mistress.

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The king won a thousand pistoles, and, having won them, put them in his pocket, and then rose, saying, "And now, gentlemen, to the park." He found the ladies of the court were already there.