{ } n. [ OF. arbaleste, LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a military engine. See Ballista. ] (Antiq.) A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts, bullets, etc. [ Written also arbalet and arblast. ] Fosbroke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. réaliste. ] 1. (Philos.) One who believes in realism; esp., one who maintains that generals, or the terms used to denote the genera and species of things, represent real existences, and are not mere names, as maintained by the nominalists. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Art. & Lit.) An artist or writer who aims at realism in his work. See Realism, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. a person who avoids unrealistic or impractical beliefs or efforts. Contrasted to idealist or visionary. [ PJC ]
(adj) aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are, Ant. unrealistic, Example:a realistic description; a realistic view of the possibilities; a realistic appraisal of our chances; the actors tried to create a realistic portrayal of the Africans