noun. A medieval missile launcher designed on the principle of the crossbow.

See arbalist, arbalister.

noun. 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.

noun. A late form of medieval crossbow, having a steel prod, or bow.

noun. an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

"Owena-da’s first design was what O’Brien had called an "arbalest" but looked to Sisko like a crossbow, a "steel" archer’s bow mounted on a shaft, with a trigger to loosen the string."