A weapon that shoots arrows or bolts using a mechanical arm that's pulled back and released by a trigger.
Compound of 'cross' and 'bow,' literally describing its X-shaped design. The crossbow was invented in China around 500 BCE and revolutionized medieval warfare.
Crossbows were so powerful and easy to use that they terrified medieval knights in armor — the Pope even banned them in 1139 as too deadly and unchivalrous, but nobody listened because they were too effective!
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