balistraria

[ bal-uh-strair-ee-uh ]

noun

, plural bal·is·tra·ri·ae [bal-, uh, -, strair, -ee-ee].

1. (in a medieval fortification) an opening, usually in the form of a cross, through which a crossbow could be fired.

Word History and Origins

Origin of balistraria¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Medieval Latin, feminine of Late Latin bal(l)istrārius, Latin ballistārius “pertaining to a ballista” (in Medieval Latin “a crossbow”), equivalent to ballist(a) + -ārius adjective suffix; ballista, -ary