Ar'bal-est or Ar'bal-ist, n.

n. [Abbreviation of arbalist, q.v.; Fr. arbalète, O. Fr. arbaleste, Pr. arbalesta.] (Antiq.) A cross-bow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger, and bent with a piece of iron. It served to throw bullets, darts, arrows, &c. [Written also arbalet and arblast.] Fosbroke.