sarbacane Obs. exc. Antiq.
(ˈsɑːbəkeɪn)
Also 7 sarabatane, 8 sarbacan, 9 sabarcane (?), sarbacand (?).
[a. F. sarbacane (16th c.; earlier sarbatenne) ‘a long trunke to shoot in’ (Cotgr.), also, a speaking-trumpet (Littré), ad. Sp. cebratana: see cebratane.]
1. A blow-tube or pipe for shooting with. Hist.
| 1765 H. Timberlake Mem. 45 Children, who..are very expert at killing with a sarbacan. 1825 Scott Talism. xxi, These cowardly caitiffs come against us with sarbacanes and poisoned shafts. 1869 Boutell Arms & Armour vi. 87 Substituting for the bow..the Sabarcane [sic], Sumpitan, or blow-tube, the Malays strike objects at great distances. 1878 Pop. Sci. Monthly XIII. 258 Thus originated..slings, sarbacands, lassos. |
† 2. An ear-trumpet. Obs.
| 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xxviii. 251 To this art belongeth the making of sarabatanes, or trunkes, to helpe the hearing. |