trebuchet

Definitions

1. A medieval siege engine consisting of a large pivoting arm heavily weighted on one end.
2. A torture device for dunking suspected witches by means of a chair attached to the end of a long pole.

Equivalents

Examples

“Medieval trebuchets are said to have⟳ been capable of launching 90-kg projectiles over distances of more than 300 meters.”

“With counterweight trebuchets at its disposal, a besieging force⟳ at last⟳ had the advantage in sieges, and it was probably the appearance of the trebuchet which prompted the changes in castle design⟳ from the mid-twelfth century onwards which were described in the previous chapter: the move⟳ from rectangular to round or multiform towers […]”

CEFR level