Stone-bow

[Cf. MHG. steinboge = sense 2, ON. steinboge = sense 1.]

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1. [BOW sb.¹ 3.] An arch of stone. Obs. exc. as the name of one of the gates of Lincoln.

2

Beowulf, 2545. Ʒeseah ða be wealle Stondan stanboʓan.

3

† 2. [BOW sb.¹ 4.] A kind of cross-bow or catapult used for shooting stones. Obs.

4

1419. Liber Albus (Rolls), I. 278. Quod nullus portet arcum vocatum ‘Stonebowe.’

5

1543. Acts Privy Council (1890), I. 104. Breaking wyth stonebowes off certeyne wyndowes.

6

1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. v. 51. O for a stone-bow to hit him in the eye.

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1611. Beaum. & Fl., King & No K., V. i. Children will shortly take him for a Wall And set their Stone-bows in his forehead.

8

1660. Act 12 Chas. II., c. 4 Sched. s.v., Bowes, vocat, stone-bowes of steel, the piece, x. s.

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