ballesta

== Asturian == === Etymology === From Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /baˈʎesta/ [baˈʎes̪.t̪a] Rhymes: -esta Syllabification: ba‧lles‧ta === Noun === ballesta f (plural ballestes) crossbow (mechanised weapon based on the bow) === Further reading === “ballesta”, in Diccionariu de la llingua asturiana [Dictionary of the Asturian Language] (in Asturian), 1ª edición, Academia de la Llingua Asturiana, 2000, →ISBN Xosé Lluis García Arias (2002–2004), “ballesta”, in Diccionario general de la lengua asturiana [General Dictionary of the Asturian Language] (in Spanish), Editorial Prensa Asturiana, →ISBN == Catalan == === Etymology === Derived from Latin ballista f, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα f (ballístra). Compare Occitan balèsta f (Languedoc), balista f (Gascon), Spanish ballesta f, and French baliste f. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): (Central) [bəˈʎes.tə] IPA(key): (Balearic) [bəˈʎəs.tə] IPA(key): (Valencia) [baˈʎes.ta] === Noun === ballesta f (plural ballestes) crossbow (mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow) ballista (ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow) triggerfish (tropical fish of the family Balistidae) Synonym: porcell (Can we add an example for this sense?) (gymnastics) kip Synonym: bàscula ==== Related terms ==== Ballester === Further reading === “ballesta”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007 “ballesta”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2026 “ballesta” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua. “ballesta” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962. == Spanish == === Etymology === Inherited from Old Spanish ballesta, from Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra). === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -esta Syllabification: ba‧lles‧ta === Noun === ballesta f (plural ballestas) crossbow (mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow) ballista (ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow) (mechanics) leaf spring (spring in the form of a curved length of steel, used in the suspension of wheeled vehicles) ==== Related terms ==== === Further reading === “ballesta”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025