ARQUEBUS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "arquebus" refers to a type of early firearm that originated in the 15th century and was widely used until the 17th century. The word itself is derived from the Middle French term "arquebuse" and the German term "hakbusse," meaning "hook gun."
An arquebus typically consisted of a long-barreled firearm with a matchlock mechanism. The firearm was usually held on a support such as a bipod or tripod and fired from the shoulder. It had a distinctive shape characterized by a hooked buttstock, which allowed it to be hooked over a wall or fortification, providing stability and support to the shooter.
The arquebus was an early and significant advancement in firearms technology, revolutionizing warfare by providing more accuracy and range than traditional archery. It fired a lead bullet, called a "shot," which was loaded with a slow-burning match cord ignited by a smoldering piece of cord called a "match." The matchlock mechanism involved a firing mechanism with a match lit at the touch hole, which ignited the gunpowder and propelled the shot out of the barrel.
Arquebuses were primarily used by foot soldiers due to their weight and relatively slow reloading time. Their effectiveness came from their ability to pierce armor and maim or kill enemy combatants from a distance. As advancements were made in firearms technology, the arquebus eventually fell out of use and was replaced by more efficient and accurate firearms such as muskets.
In conclusion, an arquebus was an early firearm that played a significant role in the evolution of warfare, featuring a long-barreled structure, a matchlock ignition mechanism, and a hooked buttstock to provide stability during firing.
Common Misspellings for ARQUEBUS
- zrquebus
- srquebus
- wrquebus
- qrquebus
- aequebus
- adquebus
- afquebus
- atquebus
- a5quebus
- a4quebus
- ar1uebus
- ar2uebus
- arwuebus
- arauebus
- arqyebus
- arqhebus
- arqjebus
- arqiebus
- arq8ebus
Etymology of ARQUEBUS
The word "arquebus" has its origin in the Middle French term "arquebuse", which was derived from the obsolete Old French word "haquebute". The Old French term was then borrowed from the Middle Dutch word "hakebusse" or "hakebuse", which meant "hook gun".
The Dutch word "hakebusse" was formed by combining "hake" (meaning hook) and "busse" (meaning tube or pipe). This referred to the gun's distinctive design, featuring a hook-shaped firing mechanism for discharging projectiles.
Ultimately, the Middle Dutch word "hakebusse" can be traced back to Middle High German, where "hake" meant hook and "büchse" meant a small gun or firearm.
Similar spelling words for ARQUEBUS
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