WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
ar•ba•lest
(är′bə list),USA pronunciation n.
ar•ba•lest•er, ar•ba•list•er
(är′bə lis′tər),USA pronunciation n.
- Militarya powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc.
- Old French
- Late Latin arcuballista (see arc, ballista); replacing Middle English, late Old English arblast
- Old Provencal
- Old French arbaleste
- bef. 1100;
'arbalester' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):