trebuchet

Treb"u*chet, Tre"buck*et, n. Etym: [OF. trebuchet, trebukiet, an engine of war for hurling stones, F. trébuchet a gin, trap, a kind of balance, fr. OF. trebuchier, trebuquier, to stumble, trip, F. trébucher.] 1. A cucking stool; a tumbrel. Cowell. 2. A military engine used in the Middle Ages for throwing stones, etc. It acted by means of a great weight fastened to the short arm of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end of the long arm with great velocity, hurling stones with much force. 3. A kind of balance for weighing. [Obs.]

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