baesta

See also: bästa

Old Portuguese

Etymology

From Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /baˈes.ta/

Noun

baesta f (plural baestas)

1. crossbow
   • 13th century CE, Alfonso X of Castile, Cantigas de Santa Maria, Códice de los músicos, cantiga 154 (facsimile):

     Como un tafur tirou con hũa baeſta hũa seeta cõtra o ceo con ſanna p̈ q̇ pdera. p̃ q̃ cuidaua q̇ firia a deos o.ſ.M̃.

     How a gambler shot, with a crossbow, a bolt at the sky, wrathful because he had lost. Because he wanted it to wound God or Holy Mary.

Related terms

• baesteiro

Descendants

• Galician: bésta
• Portuguese: besta