arblast

English

Alternative forms

• arbalest
• arbalist

Etymology

From Old French arbaleste (modern arbalète), from late Latin arcuballista, from arcus ‘bow’.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑːblɑːst/

Noun

arblast (plural arblasts)

1. (obsolete except historical) A wooden crossbow with a special drawing mechanism, used to fire bolts, stones etc.

   • 1819: “Here be two arblasts, comrades, with windlaces and quarrells — to the barbican with you, and see you drive each bolt through a Saxon brain.” — Walter Scott, Ivanhoe

Anagrams

• lab rats, lab-rats