arbalest

or ar·ba·list

[ahr-buh-list]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arbalest ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc.

Origin of arbalest

before 1100; < Old French arbaleste < Old Provençal < Late Latin arcuballista (see arc, ballista); replacing Middle English, late Old English arblast < Old French

Related formsar·ba·lest·er, ar·ba·list·er

[ahr-buh-lis-ter] /ˈɑr bəˌlɪs tər/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for arbalest

pistol, bomb, sword, gun, missile, cannon, rifle, machete, ammunition, firearm, knife, shotgun, revolver, slingshot, catapult, dagger, spear, bayonet, ax, bludgeon

Examples from the Web for arbalest

Historical Examples of arbalest

To my mind the long-bow is a better weapon than the arbalest, but it may be ill for me to prove it.
The White Company
Arthur Conan Doyle
Holding the arbalest with one hand, Daoud vaulted into the saddle.
The Saracen: Land of the Infidel
Robert Shea
The form of the arbalest of this time may be seen in our woodcut, No. 50.
Ancient Armour and Weapons in Europe
John Hewitt
On this bird, I deemed, he meant to try his skill with the arbalest.
A Monk of Fife
Andrew Lang
The arbalest is said by some writers to be of Italian origin.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction
Various

British Dictionary definitions for arbalest

arbalest

arbalist

noun

a large medieval crossbow, usually cocked by mechanical means

Word Origin for arbalest

C11: from Old French arbaleste, from Late Latin arcuballista, from Latin arcus bow + ballista

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arbalest

"crossbow," c.1300, from Old French arbaleste "large crossbow with a crank" (12c., Modern French arbalète), from Vulgar Latin arbalista, from Late Latin arcuballista "catapult," from Latin arcus "bow" (see arc (n.)) + ballista "machine for throwing projectiles" (see ballistic). German armbrust is from the same French word but mangled by folk etymology.