arquebusier
|ar-que-bu-sier|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑr.kəˈbjuː.ziɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑː.kəˈbjuː.ziə/
soldier with an early firearm
Etymology
'arquebusier' originates from Middle French, specifically the word 'arquebusier', where 'arquebuse' referred to an early type of firearm (arquebus).
'arquebusier' changed from Middle French 'arquebusier', which itself derived from Old French 'arquebuse' (from Middle Dutch/Germanic roots such as Middle Dutch 'haakbus' or Old High German elements meaning 'hook' + 'gun'), and eventually entered modern English as 'arquebusier'.
Initially, it meant 'a person armed with a 'hook-gun' (arquebus);' over time it became a general term for soldiers armed with early firearms and is now used chiefly in historical contexts to refer to such troops.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a soldier armed with an arquebus (an early type of shoulder-fired firearm).
The arquebusier took up position behind the wall and waited for the signal to fire.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
historically, a mounted or foot soldier equipped with an arquebus (often used to distinguish troops armed with early firearms).
In the 16th-century engraving, an arquebusier on horseback is shown reloading his weapon.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/18 10:00