Car"bine (?), n. [F. carbine, OF. calabrin carabineer (cf. Ot. calabrina a policeman), fr. OF & Pr. calabre, OF. cable, chable, an engine of war used in besieging, fr. LL. chadabula, cabulus, a kind of projectile machine, fr. Gr. a throwing down, fr. to throw; down + to throw. Cf. Parable.] Mil.
A short, light musket or rifle, esp. one used by mounted soldiers or cavalry.
© Webster 1913.