trebuchet

American  

[treb-yoo-shet, treb-yoo-shet] / ˈtrɛb yʊˌʃɛt, ˌtrɛb yʊˈʃɛt /

Also trebucket

noun

1. a medieval engine of war with a sling for hurling missiles.

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trebuchet British  

/ ˈtriːbʌkɪt, ˈtrɛbjʊˌʃɛt /

noun

1. a large medieval siege engine for hurling missiles consisting of a sling on a pivoted wooden arm set in motion by the fall of a weight

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Etymology

Origin of trebuchet

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French, equivalent to trebuch ( er ) to overturn, fall ( tre ( s ) across, over (< Latin trāns- trans- ) + buc trunk of body < Germanic; compare Old English būc belly) + -et -et

Example Sentences

His six foot, two inch frame coils at the crease before his muscular arms act as trebuchets to unleash thunderbolts at the batter's nose and toes.

From BBC

The other things he had to forgo in those days were catapults and trebuchets “because they were considered weapons,” but Lego designers slowly won the battle there.

From The Verge

These days, thousands of spectators show up to watch contestants pitch pumpkins using trebuchets, catapults, centrifugal machines, and other contraptions.

From Salon

The developers behind strategy sim Age of Empires IV took some time out to talk about the trebuchet and how it will fit into the game.

From The Verge

Their long arms function like trebuchets, producing cannon-like serves and powerful forehands.

From New York Times

Related Words

• slingshot