atlatl

English

Etymology

From Classical Nahuatl ahtlatl.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈatlat(ə)l/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

atlatl (plural atlatls)

1. 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

• atlatlist

Translations

spear thrower

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 投槍器／投枪器 (tóuqiāng qì)

• Classical Nahuatl: ahtlatl
• Dhangu: please add this translation if you can
• Eastern Arrernte: please add this translation if you can
• German: Atlatl (de) m
• Gumatj: please add this translation if you can
• Guugu Yimidhirr: milbiir
• Japanese: アトラトル (atoratoru), スピアスロアー (supiasuroā)
• Kala Lagaw Ya: please add this translation if you can
• Kriol: please add this translation if you can
• Marathi: आत्लात्ल (ātlātla)
• Ngarrindjeri: thyrallghie
• Pitjantjatjara: please add this translation if you can
• Polish: atlatl m
• Portuguese: propulsor (pt) m
• Spanish: propulsor m, lanzadardos m, estólica f, átlatl m
• Tiwi: please add this translation if you can
• Tlingit: shee áan
• Warlpiri: please add this translation if you can
• Western Arrernte: please add this translation if you can
• Yup'ik: nuqaq

See also

• spearthrower
• woomera

Anagrams

• Allatt, tallat

Classical Nahuatl

Noun

atlatl

1. Alternative spelling of ahtlatl