Crossword clues for arbalest
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Arbalest \Ar"ba*lest\, Arbalist \Ar"ba*list\, n. [OF. arbaleste,
LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a
military engine. See Ballista.] (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.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"crossbow," c.1300, from Old French arbaleste "large crossbow with a crank" (12c., Modern French arbalète), from Vulgar Latin arbalista, from Late Latin arcuballista "catapult," from Latin arcus "bow" (see arc (n.)) + ballista "machine for throwing projectiles" (see ballistic). German armbrust is from the same French word but mangled by folk etymology.
Wiktionary
alt. A late form of medieval crossbow, having a steel prod, or bow. n. A late form of medieval crossbow, having a steel prod, or bow.
WordNet
Wikipedia
The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the crossbow coming into use in Europe during the 12th century. A large weapon, the arbalest had a steel prod ("bow"). Since an arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, and because of the greater tensile strength of steel, it had a greater force. The strongest windlass-pulled arbalests could have up to 22 kN (5000 lbf) of force and be accurate up to 100 m. A skilled arbalestier (arbalester) could loose two bolts per minute.
Usage examples of "arbalest".
Call Hugh of the Mill, and Woodman Wat, and Raoul with his arbalest and bolts.
On the other hand, they are the sorriest archers that I have ever seen, and cannot so much as aim with the arbalest, to say nought of the long-bow.
I would even go further, and say that I have done things with my arbalest which no Englishman could do with his long-bow.
As he spoke he raised his arbalest to his shoulder and was about to pull the trigger, when a large gray stork flapped heavily into view skimming over the brow of the hill, and then soaring up into the air to pass the valley.
I did but wish to show that the long-bow could do that which an arbalest could not do, for you could not with your moulinet have your string ready to speed another shaft ere the bird drop to the earth.
Brabanter, Strutting proudly about with shouldered arbalest, amid the applause of his companions.
He was a natural horseman and an excellent shot with bow, arbalest and rifle, and often went off by himself for days at a time, hunting in the high ranges of hills where the Breas ran white and fast through the locks and ponds of the old canal system.
A patch of ocher plaster on the wall opposite the window was cracked in a spiderweb pattern, and in the center of the web stood an arbalest bolt.
Still crouching, Yama closed and bolted the heavy slatted shutters of both windows, then pulled the arbalest bolt from the wall.
But someone shot an arbalest bolt at me earlier, and I remember that you said Gorgo had killed someone with an arbalest.
Gorgo screamed and raised the arbalest in front of his face as hundreds of tiny machines smashed into him, riddling his torso and arms and legs.
Bahzell had hostage right to carry his personal weapons whenever he chose, but one sight of the arbalest by any sentry would raise questions he dared not answer, and he hesitated, loath to abandon it, then whirled as the door opened silently once more.
She paused if to speak when she saw him holding the arbalest, then shook her head and crossed quickly to Farmah and helped her up from the chair.
The door of the inner bedchamber closed behind them, and Bahzell laid the arbalest aside with regret.
But then she shook herself with some of her old briskness and touched his arbalest with a faint smile.