arquebus

American  

[ahr-kwuh-buhs] / ˈɑr kwə bəs /

Also harquebus,

noun

plural

arquebuses

1. any of several small-caliber long guns operated by a matchlock or wheel-lock mechanism, dating from about 1400.

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arquebus British  

/ ˈɑːkwɪbəs /

noun

1. Also called: hackbut.   hagbut.  a portable long-barrelled gun dating from the 15th century: fired by a wheel-lock or matchlock

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Etymology

Origin of arquebus

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French harquebusche (with intrusive -r- ), from Middle Dutch hākebusse, equivalent to hāke “hook“ + busse “gun” (literally, “box”), from Late Latin buxis for Latin buxus “box tree, boxwood; flute made from boxwood”; see box ¹

Example Sentences

By the fifteenth century, the Janissary corps of the Ottoman Empire were using firearms like the arquebus, an early long gun, in battle.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

FOR all the centuries of refinement that separate a modern rifle from a Renaissance arquebus, the basic idea has not changed.

From Economist • May 7, 2015

"Nothing, signore, but an arquebus and my sword, which I have at my lodging."

From The Honour of Savelli A Romance by Levett-Yeats, S. (Sidney)

They sprang up at once on seeing me, and one of them, presenting his arquebus, called on me to halt.

From The Honour of Savelli A Romance by Levett-Yeats, S. (Sidney)

It was evident that the cavaliere was on the alert, for a man was on guard here, armed like those below, with sword and arquebus.

From The Honour of Savelli A Romance by Levett-Yeats, S. (Sidney)