Arbalest

NomenclatureThe term "arbalest" is sometimes used interchangeably with "crossbow". Arbalest is a Medieval French word originating from the Roman name arcuballista (from arcus 'bow' + ballista 'missile-throwing engine'), which was then used for crossbows, although originally used for types of artillery. Modern French uses the word arbalète, which is linguistically one step further from the stem, due to the disappearance of the sphoneme in the last syllable. This form of the word applies to both crossbows and arbalests (the latter may be referred to as a heavy crossbow, but an actual heavy crossbow may not be the same as an arbalest). ReferencesBibliographyTanner, Norman P. (1990). Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils. Vol. 1. London / Washington, D.C.: Sheed & Ward. Georgetown University Press. ISBN . Nicaea 1 to Lateran V.Bellamy, Alex J. (2006). Just Wars: From Cicero to Iraq. Wiley. p. 32. ISBN .