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Glite Dictionary
🏹 A crossbow archer 🏹 A large crossbow
arbalist

arbalist

9.9
A heavy medieval crossbow with a steel bow
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːrbəˌlɪst/
  • Archaic
translation icon : arbalesta
  • Unlike a simple bow, the arbalist required a winch to draw the steel bow.

Examples

  • The museum's medieval collection includes a rare arbalist from the fifteenth century.

  • He demonstrated how the arbalist could launch bolts with remarkable force.

  • The arbalist aimed carefully at the target.

  • An arbalist was featured in the historical reenactment.

  • The museum's medieval collection includes a rare arbalist from the fifteenth century.

  • Unlike a simple bow, the arbalist required a winch to draw the steel bow.

  • He demonstrated how the arbalist could launch bolts with remarkable force.

Synonyms

crossbow
vsarbalist
38 6.7

A weapon like a bow that you hold across your body to shoot short arrows

focuses on a heavy steel form used specifically in the late Middle Ages
arbalest
vsarbalist
  • Archaic
9.9

A large powerful crossbow from the Middle Ages with a steel bow that shoots bolts

refers to the same heavy weapon but limited to the late Middle Ages

Surface Forms

arbalist singular
arbalists plural

Etymology

Arbalist comes from old words meaning 'bow-launcher', from the parts arcus ('bow') and ballista ('to throw'). So arbalist can mean the heavy crossbow itself, because it is the 'bow that launches' powerful bolts.