arquebus

Also har·que·bus,
Also

[ahr-kwuh-buhs]

noun

plural

arquebuses 

1. any of several small-caliber long guns operated by a matchlock or wheel-lock mechanism, dating from about 1400.

arquebus

/ ˈɑːkwɪbəs /

noun

1. Also called: hackbut.  hagbut. a portable long-barrelled gun dating from the 15th century: fired by a wheel-lock or matchlock

Word History and Origins

Origin of arquebus¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French harquebusche (with intrusive -r- ), from Middle Dutch hākebusse, equivalent to hāke “hook“ + busse “gun” (literally, “box”), from Late Latin buxis for Latin buxus “box tree, boxwood; flute made from boxwood”; box ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of arquebus¹

C16: via Old French harquebuse from Middle Dutch hakebusse, literally: hook gun, from the shape of the butt, from hake hook + busse box, gun, from Late Latin busis box

Example Sentences

This is ironic given that the building used to be an arsenal, a storehouse for the cannons, gunpowder and arquebuses that ensured Portuguese explorers arrived in the new world with a bang.

Read more on The Guardian

FOR all the centuries of refinement that separate a modern rifle from a Renaissance arquebus, the basic idea has not changed.

Read more on Economist

Cervantes was shot three times by a gun known as an arquebus at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, leaving him with no use in his left hand.

Read more on BBC

It is not impossible that the arquebus- and sword-wielding soldiers in Rembrandt’s celebrated “The Night Watch” were protecting tulip bulbs from 17th-century tree rodents.

Read more on Forbes

The front row, indeed, was well furnished with arquebuses, while pistols, swords, daggers, and pikes gleamed in abundance behind.

Read more on Project Gutenberg