AQUEDUCT, a channel to convey water from one place to another. Aqueducts, in military architecture, are generally made to bring water from a spring or river to a fortress, &c.; they are likewise used to carry canals over low ground, and over brooks or small rivers; they are built with arches like a bridge, only not so wide, and are covered above by an arch, to prevent dust or dirt from being thrown into the water—there are also subterranean aqueducts, such as pipes of wood, lead, or iron. See Muller’s Practical Fortification.
The Romans had aqueducts which extended 100 miles. That of Louis XIV. near Maintenon, which carries the river Bute to Versailles, is 7000 toises long.
ARAIGNEE, in fortification. See [Gallery].
ARBALET, in the ancient art of war, a cross-bow, made of steel, set in a shaft of wood, with a string and trigger, bent with a piece of iron fitted for that purpose, and used to throw bullets, large arrows, darts, &c. Also a mathematical instrument called a Jacob’s Staff, to measure the height of the stars upon the horizon.
ARBALETE à jalet, a stone bow.
ARBALETRIER, Fr. a cross-bow man.
ARBALETRIER d’une Galére, Fr. that part of a galley where the cross-bowmen were placed during an engagement.
ARBORER, Fr. to plant. Arborer l’étendart, to plant the standard.
ARC, Fr. a bow; an arch in building.
ARCH, in military architecture, is a vault or concave building, in form of a curve, erected to support some heavy structure, or passage.