English
musket
Etymology

First attested around 1210 as a surname, and later in the 1400s as a word for the sparrowhawk (Middle English forms: musket, muskett, muskete), from Middle French mousquet, from roa-oit moschetto (a diminutive of mosca ("fly"), from Latin musca) used to refer initially to a sparrowhawk (given its small size or speckled appearance) and then a crossbow arrow.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈmʌskət/, /ˈmʌskɪt/
Noun

musket (plural muskets)

  1. A kind of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army, originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted; ultimately superseded by the rifle.
    Soldier, soldier, won't you marry me, with your musket, fife and drum.
    Sam, Sam, pick up thy musket.
  2. (falconry) A male Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).
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