trebuchet

[ treb-yoo-shet, treb-yoo-shet ]

noun

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

trebuchet

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trebuchet¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trebuchet¹

C13: from Old French, from trebuchier to stumble, from tre- trans- + -buchier , from buc trunk of the body, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German būh belly, Old English buc

Example Sentences

Trebuchet, treb′ū-shet, n. a military engine like the ballista.

From Project Gutenberg

To these engines the besieged opposed the first trebuchet, and another mounted in the barbican.

From Project Gutenberg

Such was the principle of the "trebuchet," the enormous engines which carried devastation and destruction to medieval castles.

From Project Gutenberg

Conversely, we might describe a staff-sling as a hand-trebuchet.

From Project Gutenberg

The medival trebuchet was a sling wielded by a gigantic arm of wood.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• slingshot