Pronunciation: [hˈɑːkwɪbjˌuːs] (IPA) 
Harquebuse is a French word that refers to an early type of firearm. The spelling of the word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as [aʁ.kə.byz]. The "ar" sound is pronounced as the "a" in "part", the "k" sound is pronounced as a hard "k" like in "king", the "e" sound is pronounced as the "uh" in "but", the "by" sound is pronounced as the "bee" in "beet" and the "z" sound is pronounced as the "z" in "zip".
"A harquebuse is a firearm that was commonly used in the 15th to 17th centuries. It is an early type of long gun, specifically a long-barreled firearm with a matchlock mechanism. The word 'harquebuse' originated from the Middle Dutch 'hakebusse,' which means hook gun. The name derives from the hook attached to the stock, which helped stabilize the gun during firing.
The harquebuse features a long, smoothbore barrel, ranging from three to six feet in length, mounted onto a wooden stock. It was typically fired from the shoulder, although early versions could also be fired from a rest. The matchlock mechanism, a common ignition system at the time, employed a slow-burning match or fuse to ignite the gunpowder charge.
Harquebuses were early predecessors to muskets, offering greater accuracy and range than earlier handheld firearms. They were effective against both infantry and cavalry units, as the projectile could penetrate armor at close distances. However, reloading the harquebuse was a slow process, requiring the user to pour gunpowder, ram the bullet, and attach a new slow-match.
As technological advancements in firearms occurred, the harquebuse eventually became obsolete, replaced by more efficient and quicker-loading muskets. Despite its eventual decline in military use, the harquebuse played a vital role in the evolution of firearms, marking a transition from handheld variations to shoulder-mounted firearms that emerged in the following centuries."
See Arquebuse.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "harquebuse" originates from the French language. It was derived from the Middle French term "harquebuse" or "harenguebusse". This word was a combination of "harque" (hooked) and "busse" (gun or firearm). The "harque" element referred to the hooked attachment on the weapon used to secure it against the soldier's shoulder. Over time, the term evolved into "arquebuse" in French, and eventually "harquebuse" in English. The harquebuse was an early firearm used in the 15th to 17th centuries.
