ballesta
Asturian edit
Etymology edit
From Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
ballesta f (plural ballestes)
- crossbow (mechanised weapon based on the bow)
Catalan edit
Etymology edit
From Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
ballesta f (plural ballestes)
- crossbow (mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow)
- ballista (ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow)
- triggerfish (tropical fish of the family Balistidae)
- Synonym: porcell
Related terms edit
Further reading edit
- “ballesta” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
- “ballesta”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2024
- “ballesta” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
- “ballesta” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.
Spanish edit
Etymology edit
Inherited from Old Spanish ballesta, from Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
ballesta f (plural ballestas)
- crossbow (mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow)
- ballista (ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow)
- (mechanics) leaf spring (spring in the form of a curved length of steel, used in the suspension of wheeled vehicles)
Related terms edit
Further reading edit
- “ballesta”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014