Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter B - Page 6
Bakistre (n.) A baker. [Obs.] -- Chaucer. Baksheesh
Baksheesh (n.) Alt. of Bakshish.
Bakshish (n.) Same as Backsheesh.
Baksheesh (n.) （埃及、印度等地的）小費 A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter). Same as Backsheesh.
Syn: gratuity, tip, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh.
Baksheesh (n.) A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter) [syn: gratuity, tip, pourboire, baksheesh, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh].
Balaam (n.) A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's ass speaking. -- Numb. xxii. 30. [Cant]
Balaam basket or box (Print.), The receptacle for rejected articles. -- Blackw. Mag.
Balaam (n.) Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from Aram, out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter refers (2 Pet. 2:15, 16) to this as an historical event. In Micah 6:5 reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them (Num. 25). In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.) Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak (Num. 31:8).
The "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in Rev. 2:14, in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin. (See Nicolaitanes.) Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression (Num. 24:5-9, 17).
Balaam (n.) The ancient of the people; the destruction of the people.
Balachong (n.) A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded up with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in China.
Balaenoidea (n.) (Zool.) A division of the Cetacea, including the right whale and all other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See Baleen.
Balance (n.) 天平；秤；平衡，均衡 [U] [S]；協調，和諧 [U] [S]；平靜，鎮定 [U] An apparatus for weighing.
Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring.
Balance (n.) Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side. -- Atterbury.
Balance (n.) Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
Balance (n.) The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. -- Cowper.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed. -- Buckle.
English workmen completely lose their balance. -- J. S. Mill.
Balance (n.) An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account. "A balance at the banker's." -- Thackeray.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. -- J. Peile.
Balance (n.) (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
Balance (n.) (Astron.) The constellation Libra.
Balance (n.) (Astron.) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.
Balance (n.) A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. t., 8.
Balance electrometer, A kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. -- Knight.
Balance fish. (Zool.) See Hammerhead.
Balance knife, A carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table.
Balance of power (Politics), Such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability (of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state.
Balance sheet (Bookkeeping), A paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken.
Balance thermometer, A thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the inclination of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm.
Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance.
Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), An equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium.
Balance valve, A valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat, the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve.
Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic.
To lay in balance, To put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] -- Chaucer.
To strike a balance, To find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account.
Balance (n.) A state of equilibrium [ant: imbalance, instability, unbalance].
Balance (n.) Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account.
Balance (n.) Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin [syn: proportion, proportionality, balance].
Balance (n.) Equality of distribution [syn: balance, equilibrium, equipoise, counterbalance].
Balance (n.) Something left after other parts have been taken away; "there was no remainder"; "he threw away the rest"; "he took what he wanted and I got the balance" [syn: remainder, balance, residual, residue, residuum, rest].
Balance (n.) The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account.
Balance (n.) (Astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra [syn: Libra, Balance].
Balance (n.) The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22 [syn: Libra, Libra the Balance, Balance, Libra the Scales].
Balance (n.) (Mathematics) An attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane [syn: symmetry, symmetricalness, correspondence, balance] [ant: asymmetry, dissymmetry, imbalance].
Balance (n.) A weight that balances another weight [syn: counterweight, counterbalance, counterpoise, balance, equalizer, equaliser].
Balance (n.) A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat [syn: balance wheel, balance].
Balance (n.) A scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity.
Balance (v.) Bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights" [syn: balance, equilibrate, equilibrize, equilibrise] [ant: unbalance].
Balance (v.) Compute credits and debits of an account.
Balance (v.) Hold or carry in equilibrium [syn: poise, balance].
Balance (v.) Be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot".
Balance, () Occurs in Lev. 19:36 and Isa. 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew _kanch'_, which properly means "a reed" or "a cane," then a rod or beam of a balance. This same word is translated "measuring reed" in Ezek. 40:3,5; 42:16-18. There is another Hebrew word, _mozena'yim_, i.e., "two poisers", also so rendered (Dan. 5:27). The balances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now in use. A "pair of balances" is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Ps. 62:9; Prov. 11:1). The expression denotes great want and scarcity in Rev. 6:5.
Balance, () com. law. The amount which remains due by one of two persons, who have been dealing together, to the other, after the settlement of their accounts.
Balance, () In the case of mutual debts, the balance only can be recovered by the assignee of an insolvent, or the executor of a deceased person. But this mutuality must have existed at the time of the assignment by the insolvent, or at the death of the testator.
Balance, () The term general balance is sometimes used to signify the difference which is due to a party claiming a lien on goods in his hands, for work or labor done, or money expended in relation to those and other goods of the debtor. 3 B. & P. 485; 3 Esp. R. 268.
Balanced (imp. & p. p.) of Balance.
Balancing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Balance.
Balance (v. t.) 使平衡；保持……的平衡；權衡，比較 [（+against）]；使相稱；與……相稱 To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
Balance (v. t.) To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
Balance (v. t.) To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another. -- Kent.
Balance (v. t.) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things. -- L'Estrange.
Balance (v. t.) To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. -- Addison.
Balance (v. t.) To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
Balance (v. t.) To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
Balance (v. t.) (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
Balance (v. t.) (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n.
Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize.
Balance (v. i.) To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
Balance (v. i.) To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
Balance (v. i.) To move toward a person or couple, and then back.
Balance (n.) A state of equilibrium [ant: imbalance, instability, unbalance].
Balance (n.) Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account.
Balance (n.) Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin [syn: proportion, proportionality, balance].
Balance (n.) Equality of distribution [syn: balance, equilibrium, equipoise, counterbalance].
Balance (n.) Something left after other parts have been taken away; "there was no remainder"; "he threw away the rest"; "he took what he wanted and I got the balance" [syn: remainder, balance, residual, residue, residuum, rest].
Balance (n.) The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account.
Balance (n.) (Astrology) A person who is born while the sun is in Libra [syn: Libra, Balance].
Balance (n.) The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22 [syn: Libra, Libra the Balance, Balance, Libra the Scales].
Balance (n.) (Mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane [syn: symmetry, symmetricalness, correspondence, balance] [ant: asymmetry, dissymmetry, imbalance].
Balance (n.) A weight that balances another weight [syn: counterweight, counterbalance, counterpoise, balance, equalizer, equaliser].
Balance (n.) A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat [syn: balance wheel, balance].
Balance (n.) A scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity.
Balance (v.) Bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights" [syn: balance, equilibrate, equilibrize, equilibrise] [ant: unbalance].
Balance (v.) Compute credits and debits of an account.
Balance (v.) Hold or carry in equilibrium [syn: poise, balance].
Balance (v.) Be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot."
Balanceable (a.) Such as can be balanced.
Balanced (a.) Being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; -- opposite of unbalanced. the carefully balanced seesaw a properly balanced symphony orchestra a balanced assessment of intellectual and cultural history a balanced blend of whiskeys the educated man shows a balanced development of all his powers [Narrower terms: counterbalanced, counter-balanced, counterpoised; well-balanced; poised] [Related terms: stable --- (maintaining equilibrium)]
Balanced (a.) Being in a state of proper equilibrium; "the carefully balanced seesaw"; "a properly balanced symphony orchestra"; "a balanced assessment of intellectual and cultural history"; "a balanced blend of whiskeys"; "the educated man shows a balanced development of all his powers" [ant: imbalanced, unbalanced].
Balancement (n.) The act or result of balancing or adjusting; equipoise; even adjustment of forces. [R.] -- Darwin.
Balancer (n.) One who balances, or uses a balance.
Balancer (n.) (Zool.) In Diptera, the rudimentary posterior wing.
Balancer (n.) An acrobat who balances himself in difficult positions.
Balancer (n.) Either of the rudimentary hind wings of dipterous insects; used for maintaining equilibrium during flight [syn: halter, haltere, balancer].
Balancereef (n.) (Naut.) The last reef in a fore-and-aft sail, taken to steady the ship.
Compare: Fore-and-aft sail
Fore-and-aft sail (n.) One of the two basic types of sailing rig, the other being the square sail. The fore-and-aft sail, now usually triangular, is set completely aft of a mast or stay, parallel to the ship’s keel, and takes the wind on either side. The mainsail always has a boom, pivoted on the mast. Historically, it represented an important advance over the ancient square sail; it first appeared in the Mediterranean as the lateen sail. Full-rigged ships carried both types of sail; modern sport sailing craft carry fore-and-aft sails exclusively because of their ready maneuverability and facility in tacking into the wind. Compare lateen sail; square sail.
Balance wheel (n.) (Horology) 平衡輪，輪擺，均衡輪 A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock; -- often called simply a balance.
Balance wheel (n.) A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in those watches called a balance).
Balance wheel (n.) (Mach.) A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements of any engine or machine; a fly wheel.
Balance wheel (n.) A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat [syn: balance wheel, balance].
Balaniferous (a.) Bearing or producing acorns.
Balanite (n.) (Paleon.) A fossil balanoid shell.
Balanoglossus (n.) (Zool.) A peculiar marine worm. See Enteropneusta, and Tornaria.
Balanoid (a.) (Zool.) Resembling an acorn; -- applied to a group of barnacles having shells shaped like acorns. See Acornshell, and Barnacle.
Balas ruby (n.) (Min.) A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange. See Spinel.
Balas ruby (n.) A pale rose-colored variety of the ruby spinel [syn: balas, balas ruby].
Balaustine (n.) (Bot.) The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum). The bark of the root, the rind of the fruit, and the flowers are used medicinally.
Balbutiate (v. i.) Alt. of Balbucinate
Balbucinate (v. i.) To stammer. [Obs.]
Balbuties (n.) (Med.) The defect of stammering; also, a kind of incomplete pronunciation.
Balcon (n.) A balcony. [Obs.] -- Pepys.
Balconied (a.) Having balconies.
Balconies (n. pl. ) of Balcony.
Balcony (n.) A platform projecting from the wall of a building, usually resting on brackets or consoles, and inclosed by a parapet; as, a balcony in front of a window. Also, a projecting gallery in places of amusement; as, the balcony in a theater.
Balcony (n.) A projecting gallery once common at the stern of large ships.
Bald (a.) Destitute of the natural or common covering on the head or top, as of hair, feathers, foliage, trees, etc.; as, a bald head; a bald oak.
On the bald top of an eminence. -- Wordsworth.
Bald (a.) Destitute of ornament; unadorned; bare; literal.
In the preface to his own bald translation. -- Dryden.
Bald (a.) Undisguised. " Bald egotism." -- Lowell.
Bald (a.) Destitute of dignity or value; paltry; mean. [Obs.]
Bald (a.) (Bot.) Destitute of a beard or awn; as, bald wheat.
Bald (a.) (Zool.) Destitute of the natural covering.
Bald (a.) (Zool.) Marked with a white spot on the head; bald-faced.
Bald buzzard (Zool.) The fishhawk or osprey.
Bald coot (Zool.) A name of the European coot ({Fulica atra), alluding to the bare patch on the front of the head.
Bald (a.) With no effort to conceal; "a barefaced lie" [syn: bald, barefaced].
Bald (a.) Lacking hair on all or most of the scalp; "a bald pate"; "a bald-headed gentleman" [syn: bald, bald-headed, bald-pated].
Bald (a.) Without the natural or usual covering; "a bald spot on the lawn"; "bare hills" [syn: bald, denuded, denudate].
Bald (v.) Grow bald; lose hair on one's head; "He is balding already."
Baldachin (n.) A rich brocade; baudekin.
Baldachin (n.) A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's.
Baldachin (n.) A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession.
Bald eagle (n.) (Zool.) The white-headed eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) of America. The young, until several years old, lack the white feathers on the head.
Note: The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and on the coins, of the United States.
Bald eagle (n.) A large eagle of North America that has a white head and dark wings and body [syn: bald eagle, American eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus].
Balder (n.) The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya.
Balderdash (n.) A worthless mixture, especially of liquors.
Balderdash (n.) Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash.
Balderdash (v. t.) To mix or adulterate, as liquors.
Bald-faced (a.) Having a white face or a white mark on the face, as a stag.
Baldhead (n.) A person whose head is bald.
Baldhead (n.) A white-headed variety of pigeon.
Baldheaded (a.) Having a bald head; lacking hair on all or most of the scalp; -- alsp called bald and bald-pated; as, a bald-headed gentleman.
Baldly (adv.) Nakedly; without reserve; inelegantly.
Baldly (adv.) In a bald manner; "this book is, to put it baldly, an uneven work."
Baldness (n.) The state or condition of being bald; as, baldness of the head; baldness of style.
This gives to their syntax a peculiar character of simplicity and baldness. -- W. D. Whitney.
Baldness (n.) The condition of having no hair on the top of the head [syn: baldness, phalacrosis].
Baldpate (n.) A baldheaded person.
Baldpate (n.) The American widgeon (Anas Americana).
Baldpate (a.) Alt. of Baldpated.
Baldpated (a.) Destitute of hair on the head; baldheaded.
Baldrib (n.) A piece of pork cut lower down than the sparerib, and destitute of fat.
Baldric (n.) A broad belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn over one shoulder, across the breast, and under the opposite arm; less properly, any belt.
Baldwin (n.) A kind of reddish, moderately acid, winter apple.
Bale (n.) A bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for storage or transportation; also, a bundle of straw / hay, etc., put up compactly for transportation.
Bale of dice, A pair of dice. [Obs.] -- B. Jonson.
Baled (imp. & p. p.) of Bale.
Baling (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bale.
Bale (v. t.) 將某物打成包或包裝成捆 To make up in a bale. -- Goldsmith.
Bale (v. t.) See Bail, v. t., to lade.
Bale (n.) 大包； 災害； 悲痛 Misery; calamity; misfortune; sorrow.
Let now your bliss be turned into bale. -- Spenser.
Bale (n.) Evil; an evil, pernicious influence; something causing great injury. [Now chiefly poetic]
Bale (n.) A large bundle bound for storage or transport.
Bale (n.) A city in northwestern Switzerland [syn: Basel, Basle, Bale].
Bale (v.) Make into a bale; "bale hay."
Balearic (a.) Of or pertaining to the isles of Majorca, Minorca, Ivica, etc., in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Valencia.
Balearic crane. (Zool.) See Crane.
Balearic (In British) (a.) Of or relating to the Balearic Islands.
Baleen (n.) 鯨鬚 Plates or blades of "whalebone," from two to twelve feet long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales (Balaenoidea) are attached side by side along the upper jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is retained in the mouth.
Baleen (n.) A horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets [syn: whalebone, baleen].
Balefire (n.) 野火；烽火；【古】焚化屍體的火 A signal fire; an alarm fire.
Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more. -- Sir W. Scott.
Balefire (n.) A large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration [syn: bonfire, balefire].
Baleful (a.) 有害的；有威脅的；邪惡的；哀傷的，不幸的 Full of deadly or pernicious influence; destructive. "Baleful enemies." -- Shak.
Four infernal rivers that disgorge Into the burning lake their baleful streams. -- Milton.
Baleful (a.) Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad. [Archaic]
Baleful (a.) Deadly or sinister; "the Florida eagles have a fierce baleful look" [syn: baleful, baneful].
Baleful (a.) Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments; "a baleful look"; "forbidding thunderclouds"; "his tone became menacing"; "ominous rumblings of discontent"; "sinister storm clouds"; "a sinister smile"; "his threatening behavior"; "ugly black clouds"; "the situation became ugly" [syn: baleful, forbidding, menacing, minacious, minatory, ominous, sinister, threatening].
Baleful (a.) Deadly or pernicious in influence.
Baleful (a.) Foreboding or threatening evil.
Balefully (adv.) 災難地；有害地 In a baleful manner; perniciously.
Compare: Perniciously
Perniciously (adv.) 有害地；有毒地；致命地 See pernicious.
Perniciously (adv.) In a harmfully insidious manner; "these drugs act insidiously" [syn: {insidiously}, {perniciously}].
Perniciously (adv.) In a noxiously baneful way; "this banefully poisoned climate" [syn: {banefully}, {perniciously}].
Compare: Pernicious
Pernicious (a.) 有害的，有毒的；惡性的，致命的；壞的，邪惡的 Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
‘The pernicious influences of the mass media.’
Balefully (adv.) In a baleful manner; "she looked at him balefully."
Balefulness (n.) 災難；有害 The quality or state of being baleful.
Balisaur (n.) A badgerlike animal of India (Arcionyx collaris).
Balister (n.) (Obsolete) 石弓；弩 [C] A crossbow.
Balister (n.) (Obsolete) 弩手 [C] An arbalester or crossbowman.
Compare: Arbalester
Arbalester (n.) A user of an arbalest: Crossbowman.
Compare: Arbalest
Arbalest (n.) Varints: or Arbalist: 鋼弩（英語：Arbalest、Arblast）是中世紀後期出現在歐洲的一種大型弩，它的弓身部分由鋼製成。因為它比早期的弩大上許多，也用了伸拉強度更強的鋼，它的力道也更為增強。最強力的滑輪式鋼弩可達22000牛頓（約4945.8磅力）[1]，準確射程達300公尺。老練的鋼弩手可以每分鐘射出兩支箭。中世紀的歐洲人認為鋼弩是不人道或不公平的武器，因為一個沒有什麼經驗的鋼弩手可以一箭射死一個終其一生都在鍛鍊武術的武士。A crossbow especially of medieval times.
The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the crossbow coming into use in Europe during the 12th century. A large weapon, the arbalest had a steel prod ("bow"). Since the arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, and because of the greater tensile strength of steel, it had a greater force. However, the greater draw weight was offset by the smaller powerstroke, which limited its potential in fully transferring the energy into the crossbow bolt. The strongest windlass-pulled arbalests could have up to 22 kN (5000 lbf) of force and be accurate up to 100 m. [citation needed] A skilled arbalestier (arbalester) could loose two bolts per minute.
Compare: Medieval
Medieval (a.) 中世紀的；中古風的 Relating to the Middle Ages.
‘A medieval castle.’
Medieval (a.) (Informal) 老式的；守舊的 Resembling or likened to the Middle Ages, especially in being cruel, uncivilized, or primitive.
‘Without other people around I would let my flat degenerate into medieval levels of squalor.’
Balistoid (a.) Like a fish of the genus Balistes; of the family Balistidae. See Filefish.
Balistraria (n.) A narrow opening, often cruciform, through which arrows might be discharged.
Balize (n.) A pole or a frame raised as a sea beacon or a landmark.
Balk (n.) （畦間隆起的）田埂；常用作劃分不同所有人土地的邊界或區分同一所有人土地的不同部分。關於田埂的所有權是否有法律規定尚不確定，但在莊園中常被視為拋荒地〔waste〕。
A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. -- Fuller.
Balk (n.) 樑木，大樑 A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks."
Tubs hanging in the balks. -- Chaucer.