ballister

Noun

ballister (plural ballisters)

1. (obsolete) A crossbow or ballista.
   • Their ramparts were armed with 3,000 ballisters to shoot javelins with and 500 catapults.1872 June, H. H. Howorth, “Jingis Khan”, in The Phœnix, volume 2, number 24, page 198
   • On their E. side are four round solid towers, at the top of wach of which is a slight depression, supposed to have contained a watch turret or some implement of warfare, such as a ballister.1911, William Alfred Dutt, Norfolk, page 83
2. A brace on a brass instrument that helps hold the valves in place.
   • Solid nickel silver ballisters and mouthpipe for longer wear, better tone, ease of blowing.1940, Montgomery Ward Catalog, page 550
   • Drills connecting tube holes in valve, taps internal and external threads in valve and ballisters, and cuts recess in top of valve or ballisters, using drill press. Fits ballisters onto valve and solders them into place with soft solder.1991, Dictionary of Occupational Titles - Volume 2, page 747