'Trebuchet' definitions:

Definition of 'trebuchet'

noun

An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles [syn: catapult, arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket]

From: GCIDE

Trebuchet \Treb"u*chet\, Trebucket \Tre"buck*et\, n. [OF. trebuchet, trebukiet, an engine of war for hurling stones, F. tr['e]buchet a gin, trap, a kind of balance, fr. OF. trebuchier, trebuquier, to stumble, trip, F. tr['e]bucher.]
1. A cucking stool; a tumbrel. --Cowell. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
3. A kind of balance for weighing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Cucking stool \Cuck"ing stool`\ (k?k"?ng st??l`). [Cf. AS. scealfingst[=o]l, a word of similar meaning, allied to scealfor a diver, mergus avis; or possibly from F. coquine a hussy, slut, jade, f. of coquin, OE. cokin, a rascal; or cf. Icel. k?ka to dung, k?kr dung, the name being given as to a disgracing or infamous punishment.] A kind of chair formerly used for punishing scolds, and also dishonest tradesmen, by fastening them in it, usually in front of their doors, to be pelted and hooted at by the mob, but sometimes to be taken to the water and ducked; -- called also a castigatory, a tumbrel, and a trebuchet; and often, but not so correctly, a ducking stool. --Sir. W. Scott. [1913 Webster]