die Schreckschusswaffe
Translation
starter pistol, blank gun, alarm gun
Examples
Er besitzt eine Schreckschusswaffe.
He owns a starter pistol.
Der Knall der Schreckschusswaffe war laut.
The bang from the blank gun was loud.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) benutzen to use ((sth.)) He uses a starter pistol for self-defense.
Similar Words
Synonyms: die Gaspistole (gas pistol), die Signalpistole (flare gun)
Etymology
A compound of 'Schreck' (fright) + 'Schuss' (shot) + 'Waffe' (weapon). Literally a 'fright-shot-weapon'.
Memory Tips
Break it down: Schreck (fright) + Schuss (shot) + Waffe (weapon). It's a weapon designed to scare with a loud shot, not to be lethal.