petronel

[ pe-truh-nl ]

noun

1. a firearm of large caliber, used from the 15th to the 17th century, that fired with its butt resting against the chest.

petronel

/ ˈpɛtrəˌnɛl /

noun

1. a firearm of large calibre used in the 16th and early 17th centuries, esp by cavalry soldiers

Word History and Origins

Origin of petronel¹

1570–80; < Middle French petrinal, dialectal variant of poitrinal, equivalent to poitrine chest (< Vulgar Latin *pectorīna, noun use of feminine of *pectorīnus of the breast; pectoral, -ine ¹ ) + -al -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of petronel¹

C16: from French, literally: of the breast, from poitrine breast, from Latin pectus

Example Sentences

It was, it struck me, from a petronel, or some small piece of ordnance such as merchantmen carried in those days.

From Project Gutenberg

Petronel, pet′ro-nel, n. a large horse-pistol: a small carbine.

From Project Gutenberg

“We will resist them to the last,” said Guy Fawkes, drawing a petronel.

From Project Gutenberg

He sprang up, striking the table with the palm of his hand until it sounded like the shot of a petronel.

From Project Gutenberg

This done, he planted himself in front of the panel, and with a petronel in each hand, menaced his opponents.

From Project Gutenberg