arquebus

[ ahr-kwuh-buhs ]

noun,plural ar·que·bus·es.

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

Origin of arquebus

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”; see box¹

Also called hackbut, hagbut .

Also har·que·bus, har·que·buse, har·que·buss [hahr-kwuh-buhs] /ˈhɑr kwə bəs/ .

Words Nearby arquebus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use arquebus in a sentence

Betwixt the third couple of towers were the butts for arquebus, crossbow, and arbalist.
The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)--Continental Europe I | Various
arquebus, a hand-gun; a species of fire-arm of the sixteenth century, resembling a musket.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 | Various
To handle the pike or arquebus efficiently required long training, and veterans were always accepted before recruits.
Armour in England | J. Starkie Gardner
It was arranged that upon the discharge of an arquebus they were to surround the dwelling and suffer no one to escape.
Notable Voyagers | W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith
At the concerted signal four of the Spaniards rushed forward, the fifth discharged his arquebus.
Notable Voyagers | W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith

British Dictionary definitions for arquebus

arquebus

harquebus

/ (ˈɑːkwɪbəs) /

noun

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

Origin of arquebus

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

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

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