How Do You Spell ARQUEBUSE?

Pronunciation: [ˈɑːkwɪbjˌuːs] (IPA)

The word "Arquebuse" is one that could raise some questions about its spelling. This term refers to an early firearm that was used in the 15th to 17th century. The spelling of "Arquebuse" is pronounced as [ahr-kuh-buhs] and is spelled with an "e" at the end. The reason for this is because the term comes from the French word "arquebuse," which itself comes from the Old French term "haquebute." Despite the somewhat tricky spelling, the word is important in discussing the history of firearms.

ARQUEBUSE Meaning and Definition

1. The term "arquebuse" refers to a type of firearm that was popular during the 15th to 17th centuries. The word originated from the Middle French "harquebuse," which was derived from the Low German "hakebusse" or "hakenbüchse," meaning "hook gun." It typically had a long barrel with a flared muzzle, which was designed to hold a slow-burning match or a small amount of gunpowder for ignition. The arquebuse was operated by a matchlock mechanism, which required the shooter to manually ignite the gunpowder with a burning wick attached to a "match." This firearm required meticulous reloading after each shot, making it a relatively slow and labor-intensive weapon to operate.

   Originally, the arquebuse was a handheld weapon that required the user to rest it on a support, such as a pole or a forked stick, in order to aim precisely and stabilize the shot. Over time, advancements in firearm technology led to the development of the shoulder-fired musket, which eventually replaced the arquebuse in military use.

   The arquebuse played a significant role in the evolution of firearms, serving as a precursor to more advanced firearms in terms of accuracy and power. It was widely used by infantry soldiers and military units during the Renaissance period but gradually fell out of favor as more sophisticated firearms like muskets became available. Today, the term "arquebuse" is primarily used in historical and academic contexts to describe an early form of firearm.

2. An old-fashioned hand-gun.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ARQUEBUSE

• zrquebuse
• srquebuse
• wrquebuse
• qrquebuse
• aequebuse
• adquebuse
• afquebuse
• atquebuse
• a5quebuse
• a4quebuse
• ar1uebuse
• ar2uebuse
• arwuebuse
• arauebuse
• arqyebuse
• arqhebuse
• arqjebuse
• arqiebuse
• arq8ebuse

Etymology of ARQUEBUSE

The word "arquebuse" has its origins in the French language. It is derived from the Old French word "arcubuse", which itself comes from the Middle Dutch word "hakebusse". The Middle Dutch term can be broken down into "hake" (hook) and "busse" (gun or tube), referring to a hook-shaped gun barrel or tube. The term "arquebuse" was used to describe an early form of hand-held firearm that was used in the 15th to 17th centuries.