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Synonyms

arbalest

American  
[ahr-buh-list] / ˈɑr bə lɪst /
Or arbalist

noun

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


arbalest British  
/ ˈɑːbəlɪst /

noun

  1. a large medieval crossbow, usually cocked by mechanical means

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"On thy back," said he sharply, and seizing the arbalest and taking a stroke forward he aided the desired movement.

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Reade, Charles

And now he closed the door, and, going to the window, which was little more than an arrow-slit, he shouldered his arbalest.

From Love-at-Arms by Sabatini, Rafael

But no sooner did my head show above, and I draw a deep breath or twain, looking for my enemy, than an arbalest bolt cleft the water with a clipping sound, missing me but narrowly. 

From A Monk of Fife by Lang, Andrew

Holding the arbalest with one hand, Daoud vaulted into the saddle.

From The Saracen: Land of the Infidel by Shea, Robert

A man of Damme, not being able to pay Claes for his coal, gave him his most valuable possession, which was an arbalest with twelve quarrels well pointed to serve as missiles.

From The Legend of Ulenspiegel, Volume I (of 2) And Lamme Goedzak, and their Adventures Heroical, Joyous and Glorious in the Land of Flanders and Elsewhere by Coster, Charles Th?odore Henri de

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