Trebuchet

//ˈtɹɛb.juˌʃɛt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A medieval siege engine consisting of a large pivoting arm heavily weighted on one end.

    "Medieval trebuchets are said to have been capable of launching 90-kg projectiles over distances of more than 300 meters."

  2. 2
    catapult that uses a swinging arm to throw a projectile wordnet
  3. 3
    A torture device for dunking suspected witches by means of a chair attached to the end of a long pole.
Verb
  1. 1
    To shoot with a trebuchet.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Old French trebuchet, trebuket et al. (modern trébuchet), from trebuchier (“to overthrow, topple”), from tres- + *buchier, from Old French buc (“trunk of the body”), from Old Frankish *būk (“belly, trunk, torso”), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (“belly, abdomen, trunk”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw- (“to blow, swell”). Cognate with Old High German būh (“belly”), Old English būc (“belly, trunk”). More at bouk.

Etymology 2

From Old French trebuchet, trebuket et al. (modern trébuchet), from trebuchier (“to overthrow, topple”), from tres- + *buchier, from Old French buc (“trunk of the body”), from Old Frankish *būk (“belly, trunk, torso”), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (“belly, abdomen, trunk”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw- (“to blow, swell”). Cognate with Old High German būh (“belly”), Old English būc (“belly, trunk”). More at bouk.

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