arquebus
[ ahr-kwuh-buhs ]
/ ˈɑr kwə bəs /
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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.
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Also har·que·bus, har·que·buse, har·que·buss [hahr-kwuh-buhs] /ˈhɑr kwə bəs/ .
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
Words nearby arquebus
arpeggiate, arpeggiation, arpeggio, arpent, Arpino, arquebus, arr., arracacha, arrack, arrah, arraign
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for arquebus
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 matchlockAlso called: hackbut, hagbut
Word Origin for 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
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