Atlatl

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Throwing stick \Throw"ing stick`\ (Anthropol.)
     An instrument used by various savage races for throwing a
     spear; -- called also {throw stick} and {spear thrower}. One
     end of the stick receives the butt of the spear, as upon a
     hook or thong, and the other end is grasped with the hand,
     which also holds the spear, toward the middle, above it with


     the finger and thumb, the effect being to bring the place of
     support nearer the center of the spear, and practically
     lengthen the arm in the act of throwing. In Mexico, one such
     device is called the {atlatl}.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
     [1913 Webster]