arquebus
[ ahr-kwuh-buhs ]
noun,plural ar·que·bus·es.
any of several small-caliber long guns operated by a matchlock or wheel-lock mechanism, dating from about 1400.
Origin of arquebus
1First 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/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use arquebus in a sentence
He also asked for 400 harquebusses, and for bows, which the Dugald Dalgettys of the day had not yet learned to despise.
Ireland under the Tudors, Volume I (of II) | Richard Bagwell
British Dictionary definitions for arquebus
arquebus
harquebus
/ (ˈɑːkwɪbəs) /
noun
a portable long-barrelled gun dating from the 15th century: fired by a wheel-lock or matchlock: Also called: hackbut, hagbut
Origin of arquebus
1C16: 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse