arquebus
|ar-que-bus|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑːrkɪbəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːkɪbəs/
early portable firearm
Etymology
'arquebus' originates from Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'haakbus', where 'haak' meant 'hook' and 'bus' meant 'pipe'.
'arquebus' changed from Middle Dutch 'haakbus' to Old French 'harquebuse' and eventually became the modern English word 'arquebus'.
Initially, it meant 'hooked gun' (a gun with a hooked rest), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an early type of portable firearm used from the 15th to 17th centuries'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an early muzzle-loaded portable firearm used from the 15th to 17th centuries, often rested on a fork or hook when fired.
The soldier loaded his arquebus and waited for the signal to fire.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/18 09:32