Mangonel
/ˈmæŋ.ɡə.nəl/noun
A medieval stone-throwing siege engine, or more loosely a type of catapult.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a family of terms in Late Latin and Greek linked to a mechanical device for throwing or hurling, showing how ancient engineering left a battlefield footprint in language.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
manganum
“a mechanical device or war engine, especially one for throwing missiles”
Medieval Latin
ML
mangonellus
“a small mangonum / siege engine term used in medieval military writing”
Old French
OF
mangonel
“a siege engine for hurling stones or projectiles”
Middle English
ME
mangonel
“a catapult or stone-throwing engine used in warfare”
Modern English
EN
mangonel
“a medieval siege engine used to launch heavy projectiles”