a medieval weapon consisting of a bow fixed transversely on a stock having a trigger mechanism to release the bowstring, and often incorporating or accompanied by a mechanism for bending the bow.
Origin: 1400–50; late ME crossbowe.See cross, bow2
cross·bow (krôs'bō', krŏs'-) n. A weapon consisting of a bow fixed crosswise on a wooden stock, with grooves on the stock to direct the projectile. cross'bow'man n.