petronel

[ pe-truh-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.

petronel

/ ˈpɛtrəˌnɛl /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of petronel¹

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; pectoral, -ine ¹ ) + -al -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of petronel¹

C16: from French, literally: of the breast, from poitrine breast, from Latin pectus

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times

St. Matthew’s Music Guild Season opener includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and “Coriolan Overture,” plus the “Emperor” concerto featuring pianist Petronel Malan.

From Los Angeles Times

“Israel was just – he was a nice person,” said a 19-year-old, who gave her name as Petronel, as she stood by the police tape in Morning Lane.

From The Guardian

"These baby rhinos are at an orphanage because their mothers were killed by poachers. I can’t say where this is for obvious reasons. But I spent an afternoon with Petronel Nieuwoubt who runs the orphanage. The youngest rhino was called Don. He was just two months old when he was found in Kruger National Park. Petronel has students and volunteers from all over the world come to look after these orphans. They pay for this experience and that money is used for milk, food, fencing and rangers for security."

From Los Angeles Times

At that moment the door opened and a sturdy countryman entered, pulling his forelock as a mark of respect to Sir George, and handed him a petronel which I recognized only too well.

From Project Gutenberg