1. a small, short-barreled pistol that is easily concealed

Examples

• The detective found a derringer hidden in the suspect’s coat pocket.
• John Wilkes Booth used a derringer to assassinate President Lincoln.
• The antique derringer was displayed in the museum’s firearms collection.
• She kept a small derringer in her purse for protection.
• The gambler pulled out a derringer during the card game dispute.
• Derringers were popular among riverboat captains in the 1800s.