† ˈjavelot Obs.
[a. OF. javelot, It. giavelotto; in ONF. gavelot, Breton gavlod, MHG. gabilôt (Diez). See also gavelot.
The original source of F. javel-, ONF. gavel-, in javelot, javeline, and their cognates, is uncertain, and beset with many difficulties; opinion at present favours a Celtic origin; see gavelock, and cf. Diez and Thurneysen s.v. giavelotto.]
A small spear or javelin thrown with the hand or from a catapult.
| 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. xiv. 38 Sperys, dartys, and iauelots. 1675 Phil. Trans. X. 282 Catapultæ and Balistæ: the former casting Javelots: the latter stones. 1693 Urquhart Rabelais iii. Prol., They sharpned and prepared Spears,..Javelins, Javelots and Trunchions. 1708 Motteux Rabelais v. ix. (1737) 35 Javelins, Javelots, Darts, Dartlets. |