atlatl
English
edit
Etymology
editFrom Classical Nahuatl ahtlatl.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editatlatl (plural atlatls)
- A spearthrower consisting of a wooden stick with a thong or perpendicularly protruding hook on the rear end that grips a grove or socket on the butt of its accompanying spear (or dart), intended to steady the spear immediately prior to throwing, to increase its potential range when thrown, and to increase its force of penetration of the target. [from 19th c.]
- 2011, Chris Stringer, The Origin of Our Species, Penguin, published 2012, page 144:
- While large game was still hunted, mainly using projectile spears but later enhanced by atlatls (spear-throwers) and bows and arrows, evidence for the exploitation of small game such as tortoises, rabbits, wild fowl and eggs increased.
- 2020, Robin Pront, 31:36 from the start, in The Silencing, spoken by Jim Needles (Patrick Garrow):
- World's oldest weapon delivery system. It's called an atlatl. Developed over 30,000 years ago.
Derived terms
editTranslations
editspear thrower
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See also
editAnagrams
editClassical Nahuatl
editNoun
editatlatl
- Alternative spelling of ahtlatl
Categories:
- English terms borrowed from Classical Nahuatl
- English terms derived from Classical Nahuatl
- English 3-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English terms with quotations
- en:Weapons
- Classical Nahuatl lemmas
- Classical Nahuatl nouns