petronel

American  

[pe-truh-nl] / ˈpɛ trə nl /

noun

1. a firearm of large caliber, used from the 15th to the 17th century, that fired with its butt resting against the chest.

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petronel British  

/ ˈpɛtrəˌnɛl /

noun

1. a firearm of large calibre used in the 16th and early 17th centuries, esp by cavalry soldiers

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Etymology

Origin of petronel

1570–80; < Middle French petrinal, dialectal variant of poitrinal, equivalent to poitrine chest (< Vulgar Latin *pectorīna, noun use of feminine of *pectorīnus of the breast; see pectoral, -ine ¹) + -al -al ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petronel

Sirjana Kaur misspelled petronel — a portable firearm used in the 16th and 17th centuries.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2022

Schnapphahn, snap-cock, the English form of which, snaphaunce, seems also to have prevailed over petronel.

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Ernest Weekley

We likewise presented a petronel, or horseman's pistol, and a brace of smaller pistols, finely damasked and in rich cases, having silken strings and gold tassels.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 08 by Robert Kerr

Daggers of various lengths were there also, together with the petronel or large horse pistol, which was so placed, however, as to give free room for his hand to reach the hilt of his sword.

From Corse de Leon, Volume I (of 2) or, The Brigand; a Romance by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James

He had both dagger and arquebus, and I my hand petronel and dagger too.

From A Rip Van Winkle Of The Kalahari Seven Tales of South-West Africa by Frederick Cornell