noun

harquebus

HAR-ki-bus

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Harquebus (noun) means an early portable firearm fired by a matchlock mechanism, sometimes braced on a tripod or trestle to fire. Example: “The museum displayed a harquebus alongside other early firearms.”

noun

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

"The museum displayed a harquebus alongside other early firearms."

"Soldiers braced the harquebus on a wooden trestle before firing."

"A harquebus was far slower to load and fire than a modern rifle."

How to use harquebus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old kind of gun, fired with a lit match, used before modern rifles existed.

When to use it

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

Memory tip

The stress falls on the first syllable, HAR-ki-bus, not on the middle of the word.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

fire a harquebus load a harquebus an antique harquebus

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

The museum displayed a _____ alongside other early firearms.

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.

Origin: French

Rhymes for harquebus

rebus Phoebus

See all rhymes for 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.

What is the meaning of harquebus?

"harquebus" (noun) means an early portable firearm fired by a matchlock mechanism, sometimes braced on a tripod or trestle to fire.