Obs. Also 6–7 carbine, 6 -yne, 7 carbeene, carabine, carrabin. See also CARBINE, the weapon: the two words have been taken as one in English. [a. F. carabin (16th c. in Littré), of disputed origin: Roquefort alleges an earlier calabrin, according to Diez, f. calabre an ancient engine of war, the name calabrin being transferred from the man who worked that to those who carried these fire-arms; but Littré inclines to see in it a transl. of Calabrīnus Calabrian.
Calabre, also Pr. and OSp., is regarded by Diez as repr. med.L. chadabula an engine for throwing stones, earlier catabola, a. Gr. καταβολή overthrow, destruction.]
A mounted musketeer; a carabineer. (See 1611.)
1590. Webbe, Trav. (Arb.), 19. Much like to Carbines or Horsemen readie to ye warre.
1591. Sir J. Smythe, Instr. Milit., 202–3. Musters, of Carabins or Argolettiers.
1611. Cotgr., Carabin, a Carabine or Carbeene; an Arguebuzier armed with a morrian, and breast-plate, and seruing on horsebacke.
1625. Markham, Souldiers Accid., 42. Hargobusseirs, or Carbines.
1626. T. H., trans. Caussin’s Holy Crt., 266. To leaue it, like a Carbine, who hath shot of his pistoll.
1735. Carte, Ormonde, I. 97. A troop of horse which consisted … of sixty Carabins. (Not in Johnson, 1755.)
[1885. R. F. Burton, 1001 Nights, I. 202, note. Men who formerly would have half starved as curates and ensigns, barristers and carabins.]
b. (See quot.; cf. free lance.)
1816. Singer, Hist. Cards, 234–5. Carabin, a term used at this game [lansquenet] to designate an occasional player, who just takes the chance of a card or two … and then ceases to play.
