Definition

A person who uses a crossbow, especially during the Middle Ages for hunting or warfare.

Example

The arbalist took aim at the target with great precision.

Conversation

Have you ever seen an arbalist in action?

No, I haven't, but I've read they were quite powerful in the past.

Yeah, they were used a lot during medieval battles.

That sounds fascinating! I’d love to learn more about their history.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Arbalist comes from the Old French word 'arbaleste', which is derived from the Latin 'arcuballista' (from 'arcus', meaning bow, and 'ballista', meaning a type of catapult). An arbalist is a person who uses a crossbow, which is a weapon that combines the features of a bow and a mechanism to shoot projectiles.

Memory Tip

Think of an 'arbalist' as someone who uses a 'bow' ('arcus') and a 'catapult' ('ballista') — this helps you remember that an arbalist is a crossbow user.

Visually Confused Words