arbalest

or ar·ba·list

[ ahr-buh-list ]

noun

1. a powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc.

arbalest

/ ˈɑːbəlɪst /

noun

1. a large medieval crossbow, usually cocked by mechanical means

Other Words From

• ar·ba·lest·er ar·ba·list·er [ahr, -b, uh, -lis-ter], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbalest¹

before 1100; < Old French arbaleste < Old Provençal < Late Latin arcuballista ( arc, ballista ); replacing Middle English, late Old English arblast < Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbalest¹

C11: from Old French arbaleste, from Late Latin arcuballista, from Latin arcus bow + ballista

Example Sentences

He has made a living robbing luxurious apartments of their masterpieces, sometimes using an arbalest, ropes, snap hooks and a harness to scale facades and gain entry.

From New York Times

Oh, the title: “arbalest” means “crossbow,” and evokes violence—in particular, the primal violence on which the story, Foster Kalt’s fate, and, for that matter, all culture rests.

From The New Yorker

"On thy back," said he sharply, and seizing the arbalest and taking a stroke forward he aided the desired movement.

From Project Gutenberg

His Queries of course have reference to the long bow, and not to the arbalest, or cross-bow.

From Project Gutenberg

A man of Damme, not being able to pay Claes for his coal, gave him his most valuable possession, which was an arbalest with twelve quarrels well pointed to serve as missiles.

From Project Gutenberg

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