Armbrust

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”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈarmbrʊst/

• Audio

  (file)

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.

• Armbrustschütze

• Armbrust in Duden online