noun ·2 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow, that shoots bolts.
2. 2
   a bow fixed transversely on a wooden stock grooved to direct the arrow (quarrel) wordnet
3. 3
   A portable ballista that can be held in the hand.

Synonyms

All synonyms

atlasbowbowgunmissilerocket

Example

More examples

"Tom shot at Mary with a crossbow."

Etymology

From Middle English crosbowe, crossebowe, equivalent to cross + bow.

Related phrases

bullet-shooting crossbow

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.