Arbalist,
n. [OF.
arbaleste, LL.
arbalista, for L.
arcuballista;
arcus bow +
ballista a military engine. See
Ballista.].
A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts, bullets, etc. Fosbroke. [1913 Webster]