Armbrust

Etymology

From Middle High German armbrust, from Medieval Latin arbalista, from Late Latin arcuballista, from Latin arcus (“bow”) + ballista (“ancient military engine for hurling missiles”) (compare English arbalest); modified by folk etymology to appear to be Arm (“arm”) +‎ Brust (“breast”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈarmbrʊst/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

Armbrust f (genitive Armbrust, plural Armbrüste or Armbruste)

1. crossbow, arbalest
   • 1792, C. Meiners & L. I. Spittler, Neues Göttingisches Historisches Magazin, vol. 1, part 2, page 305.

     Zu den Waffen, die nicht allen Teutschen Völkern gemein, sondern nur gewissen Stämmen derselben eigenthümlich waren, gehörte die Armbrust.

Further reading

• Armbrust in Duden online