arbalest Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
    catapult; mangonel; trebuchet; trebucket; arbalist; bricole; onager; ballista.

WordNet

Ar"ba*lest, Ar"ba*list noun (Also<
  • Arbalest
  • Arbalist
)
Etymology
OF. arbaleste, LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a military engine. See Ballista.
Definitions
  1. (Antiq.) A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts, bullets, etc. Written also arbalet and arblast. Fosbroke.

Webster 1913