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Q&A What is the origin (etymology) of the word مسدس (pistol)?

In Arabic the word مُسَدَّس refers to pistol when an arm is meant (see here on wikipedia). But it also refers to a hexagon (see here on wikipedia) -also سداسي أضلاع or سداسي- as it is a description...

1 answer · posted 4y ago by Medi1saif‭ · last activity 4y ago by Moshi‭

Question etymology

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Medi1saif‭ · 2020-09-24T07:37:32Z (about 4 years ago)

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What is the origin (etymology) of the word مسدس (pistol)?

In Arabic the word مُسَدَّس refers to pistol when an arm is meant (see [here](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AF%D8%B3_(%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD)) on wikipedia).

But it also refers to a hexagon (see [here](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A_%D8%A3%D8%B6%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9) on wikipedia) -also سداسي أضلاع or سداسي- as it is a description of a geometrical object that has six edges. 

As the number:
> six سِتَّة

while anything related to this number might be:
> سداسي  
> مُسَدَّس  
etc.

I wonder if there's a connection between the word مُسَدَّس (pistol) and the number six and what it is?

I must guess maybe the first pistol had six bullets and that's why Arabs named it so, but I want so clarity.

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