arbalest
pronunciation
How to pronounce arbalest in British English:
UK ['ɑ:bəlest]
How to pronounce arbalest in American English:
US ['ɑbəlest]
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- Noun:
- medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
Word Origin
- arbalest (n.)
- "crossbow," c. 1300, from Old French arbaleste "large crossbow with a crank" (12c., Modern French arbalète), from Vulgar Latin arbalista, from Late Latin arcuballista "catapult," from Latin arcus "bow" (see arc (n.)) + ballista "machine for throwing projectiles" (see ballistic). German armbrust is from the same French word but mangled by folk etymology.
Example
- 1. The russian prime minister aims at a whale with an arbalest ( crossbow ) to take a piece of its skin for analysis on olga bay .