1. plural of mangonel; medieval military siege engines that used twisted rope or sinew to hurl stones and other projectiles
Usage: historical; military

Examples

• The castle defenders prepared their mangonels to repel the approaching army.
• Medieval armies used mangonels to break down fortress walls.
• The museum displayed several reconstructed mangonels from the 12th century.
• Engineers positioned the mangonels just outside the enemy’s arrow range.
• The siege lasted months until the mangonels finally breached the outer walls.