trebuchet

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: treb=u=chet

CIDE DICTIONARY

trebuchet, n. [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.].

•  A cucking stool; a tumbrel.  Cowell.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  A kind of balance for weighing.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

trebuchet, n. (also trebucket) hist.
1 a military machine used in siege warfare for throwing stones etc.
2 a tilting balance for accurately weighing light articles.

Etymology

ME f. OF f. trebucher overthrow, ult. f. Frank.

ROGET THESAURUS

trebuchet

Scourge

N scourge, rod, cane, stick, ratan, rattan, birch, birch rod, azote, blacksnake, bullwhack, chicote, kurbash, quirt, rawhide, sjambok, rod in pickle, switch, ferule, cudgel, truncheon, whip, bullwhip, lash, strap, thong, cowhide, knout, cat, cat o'nine tails, rope's end, pillory, stocks, whipping post, cucking stool, ducking stool, brank, trebuchet, trebuket, triangle, wooden horse, iron maiden, thumbscrew, boot, rack, wheel, iron heel, chinese water torture, treadmill, crank, galleys, scaffold, block, ax, guillotine, stake, cross, gallows, gibbet, tree, drop, noose, rope, halter, bowstring, death chair, electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, mecate, house of correction, goaler, jailer, executioner, electrocutioner, lyncher, hangman, headsman, Jack Ketch.