Home › Words › H › handgonnehandgonnehandgonne · noun — A handheld pre-matchlock black-powder gun.Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).EtymologyLearned borrowing from Middle English handgonne. Doublet of handgun.nounA handheld pre-matchlock black-powder gun.e.g.“mere dry-as-dust knowledge of how Cæsar invaded Gaul, or Hannibal Italy, is about as useful as a knowledge of the "handgonne" would be for working a 12-pounder breech-loader.” — 1894, W. H. James, Modern Strategy:Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.harquebus 69% match — An obsolete matchlock firearm. vs handgonne →matchlock 63% match — Early type of firearm, using a smoldering piece of cord to fire the powder in the firing pan. vs handgonne →doghead 62% match — That part of a matchlock or flintlock gun or rifle that holds the burning fuse or flint and applies it to the gunpowder. vs handgonne →bowgun 61% match — Synonym of crossbow. vs handgonne →handgunner 57% match — One who uses a handgun. vs handgonne →bowgunner 57% match — Synonym of crossbowman. vs handgonne →musketless 56% match — Without a musket. vs handgonne →musketoon 56% match — A firearm, similar to a musket but with a shorter barrel and a large bore. vs handgonne →