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

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

Find the trebuchet just below the tower at upper right.

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