harquebus

What is another word for harquebus? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — An early portable firearm fired by a matchlock mechanism, sometimes braced on a tripod or trestle to fire.

We haven't recorded synonyms for harquebus yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use harquebus

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fire a harquebus load a harquebus an antique harquebus

A specialist, historical term found mainly in writing about early firearms and warfare.

Etymology

Harquebus entered English from French harquebuse, itself taken from a Low German or Dutch word combining a term for hook with a term for box or firelock. Those elements trace back further to Old Saxon and Proto-Germanic roots with the same hook and box meanings.

Full origin of harquebus →

Frequently asked questions

What is a harquebus?

A harquebus is an early type of portable firearm that was fired using a matchlock mechanism, sometimes supported on a stand.

How was a harquebus fired?

It was fired using a matchlock, a mechanism that lowered a lit slow-burning match into a pan of gunpowder to set off the charge.

Where does the word harquebus come from?

It came into English from French, which had borrowed it from a Germanic word combining hook and box or firelock.

Nearby words

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