arquebus

[ ahr-kwuh-buhs ]

noun,plural ar·que·bus·es.
  1. any of several small-caliber long guns operated by a matchlock or wheel-lock mechanism, dating from about 1400.

Origin of arquebus

1
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 box1
  • Also har·que·bus, har·que·buse, har·que·buss [hahr-kwuh-buhs] /ˈhɑr kwə bəs/ .

Words Nearby arquebus

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How to use arquebus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for arquebus

arquebus

harquebus

/ (ˈɑːkwɪbəs) /


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

Origin of arquebus

1
C16: via Old French harquebuse from Middle Dutch hakebusse, literally: hook gun, from the shape of the butt, from hake hook + busse box, gun, from Late Latin busis box

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