treb·u·chet

(trĕb′yə-shĕt′) also treb·uc·ket (-ə-kĕt′)

A medieval catapult for hurling heavy stones, often employing a long sling.

[Middle English, from Old French, from trebucher, to overthrow : tre-, over (from Latin trāns-; see trans-) + but, trunk of the body (of Germanic origin).]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

trebuchet

(ˈtrɛbjʊˌʃɛt) or

trebucket

(Historical Terms) a large medieval siege engine for hurling missiles consisting of a sling on a pivoted wooden arm set in motion by the fall of a weight

[C13: from Old French, from trebuchier to stumble, from tre- trans- + -buchier, from buc trunk of the body, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German būh belly, Old English buc]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

trebuchet - an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebucket, catapult

engine - an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.; "medieval engines of war"

Translations

fundíbulo

trébuchet

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Experts believe it was launched by a medieval wooden catapult in the 1200s - known as a trebuchet.

13th-century weapon dug out at castle

He may yet march his troops back to Brussels and from that vantage point prime his trebuchet to hurl abuse at his fellow MEPs and derision at our representatives at Westminster until we finally leave the EU.

People died to secure right to vote

Chick Allan Axe throwing, archery, blacksmiths, craft stalls, a fire pit, iron-tipped battering ram and trebuchet were all on offer within its palisades as well as brilliant musical performances from Maoris, Aborigines, Canadian Cree and some home-grown talent.

A fort worthy of blood, sweat and plenty of cheers

It is thought the ball was launched from a large wooden catapult known as a trebuchet, either from or towards the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle during Edward I's Siege of Edinburgh in 1296.

Dig unearths catapult ball; AROUND THE UK

Artillery in the Era of the Crusades: Siege Warfare and the Development of Trebuchet Technology

We then sat for a while on a grassy bank and witnessed The Mighty Trebuchet, billed as the largest working siege machine in the world.

Top knights at CASTLE; Travel; Glamping experience fit for royalty

There's also chance to witness the world's largest working siege machine, the Mighty Trebuchet, launch a projectile more than 150ft in the air.

Castle celebrates 950 years with cut-price PS9.50 tickets; but hurry before offer runs out..

As part of the transaction, the former Armour holding company will rename itself Trebuchet Holdings and transfer the Armour brand name to the new group.

Armour announces USD 500m investment to fund creation of new reinsurance company

AN amazing job is up for grabs at Warwick Castle - helping to fire the giant trebuchet siege engine which wows visitors with its daily displays of medieval warfare.

Fancy a new job? Hopefully you won't get fired from it! WARWICK CASTLE IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO JOIN THE TEAM THAT FIRES ITS MIGHTY TREBUCHET

Witness the mighty trebuchet (largest working catapult in the world) launch a flaming fireball.

TICKETS TO THE HAUNTED CASTLE! 2 FOR 1

One old soldier, who had fought in Italy at Garellano and elsewhere, said he knew how to build a trebuchet, the old medieval siege weapon capable of throwing large stones several hundred metres over protective walls.

Siege mentality

Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, is hosting events throughout the year to mark the 400th anniversary of his death, while visitors to Warwick Castle can see its restored 22-tonne trebuchet - a huge catapult - in operation.

County is top European tourist spot