petronel

English

A matchlock petronel, circa 1570

Alternative forms

• petronell (obsolete), poitrinal

Etymology

From Middle French petrinal, alteration of poitrinal, from poitrinal (“of the chest”) (the weapon is thought to have been braced against a chest-pad when firing), from poitrine (“chest, breast”), from Latin pectorina, feminine of pectorinus (“of the breast”) (from pectus (“chest”) -inus (“-ine”)).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɛtɹənəl/

Noun

petronel (plural petronels)

1. (obsolete, weaponry) A short but large-caliber, heavy 16th and 17th-century firearm that used a matchlock or wheellock mechanism, intermediate between the arquebuse and pistol.
   • 1634, Matheo Aleman, “Wherein Guzman de Alfarache relateth the Story of thoſe two Louers, Ozmin and Daraxa”, in Don Diego Puede-Ser, transl., The rogue: or The life of Guzman de Alfarache‎^[1], volume 1, pages 68–69:

     […] And putting vp good ſtore of gold and Iewels for that iourney, and taking with him a good horſe, that was browne Bay, with a Petronell hanging at the arſon of his Saddle […]

Translations

Translations

• Italian: petrinale m