▪ I. † baˈlister1, -ester Obs.
[a. OF. balestier:—L. ballistārius, late L. balestārius arbalester; cf. ballistier.]
An arbalester, a crossbow-man.
| 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. xxiii. 71 Gonners, balesters, and archers. 1613 T. Godwin Rom. Antiq. (1658) 263 Near unto which standeth the cunning balister. |
▪ II. † baˈlister2 Obs. rare—1.
[a. OF. balestre:—L. ballistra (late L. balestra arbalest), variant of ballista.]
An arbalest, a crossbow.
| 1697 Blount Anc. Tenures 92 (T.) Thread, to make a false string for the king's balister or crossbow. |