| arbalist | 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. Alternative forms: arbalet and arblast. Origin: OF. Arbaleste, LL. Arbalista, for L. Arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a military engine. See Ballista. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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