This is the 5174th most frequent Catalan word.
ballesta
"Ballesta" in English means "crossbow."
In this sentence, "ballesta" refers to a crossbow as a weapon/tool used for shooting or sport.
Va construir una ballesta per a practicar tir.
He built a crossbow to practice shooting.
Here, "ballesta" refers to a latch or spring mechanism in a door or similar item.
La ballesta de la porta està trencada i cal reparar-la.
The latch of the door is broken and needs to be repaired.
In this sentence, "ballesta" is used metaphorically or descriptively to refer to an arch-like structure.