musket
UK: ˈmʌskɪt | US: ˈmʌskɪt
n. a type of smoothbore long gun used by infantry from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The word "musket" traces back to the Italian moschetto, meaning "small crossbow bolt," derived from mosca (fly), likely due to the bolt's small, dart-like appearance. Over time, moschetto evolved to refer to early firearms, which replaced crossbows. The French mousquet and English "musket" retained this association, eventually narrowing to denote infantry long guns. The diminutive suffix -et hints at the weapon's initial smaller size compared to earlier artillery.
The soldier loaded his musket before the battle.
Muskets were widely used during the American Revolutionary War.
The museum displayed a 17th-century musket with intricate engravings.
Firing a musket required precise timing and skill.
The invention of the musket changed battlefield tactics forever.