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arbalest

 - 3 dictionary results

ar⋅ba⋅lest

[ahr-buh-list]
–noun
a powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc.
Also, ar⋅ba⋅list.


Origin:
bef. 1100; < OF arbaleste < OPr < LL arcuballista (see arc, ballista ); r. ME, late OE arblast < OF


ar⋅ba⋅lest⋅er, ar⋅ba⋅list⋅er [ahr-buh-lis-ter] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ar·ba·lest also ar·ba·list   (är'bə-lĭst)   
n.  A medieval missile launcher designed on the principle of the crossbow.

[Middle English arblast, from Old English, from Old French arbaleste, from Late Latin arcuballista : Latin arcus, bow + Latin ballista, ballista; see ballista.]
ar'ba·lest'er (-lěs'tər) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

arbalest 
"crossbow," c.1100, from O.Fr. arbaleste, from V.L. arbalista, from L.L. arcuballista "catapult," from L. arcus "bow" (see arc) + ballista "machine for throwing projectiles" (see ballistic).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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