bowstring

The string of an archer's bow.

Noun

  1. The string of an archer's bow.
    • For an instant he glanced along the polished shaft, drawing the bowstring far back, that the arrow might pierce through the heart for which it was aimed. - 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York:...
  2. The string of an archer's bow, as used by the Turks for strangling offenders.

Origin

Etymology tree English bow English string English bowstring From bow + string.

Forms

bowstrings

Derived

bowstring bridge bowstring girder bowstring hemp bowstring knot

Verb

  1. To strangle with a bowstring.
    • When the day broke […] it was high time for her to get up and be bowstrung—a thing very little more pleasant than hanging, only a trifle more genteel. - 1850, Edgar Allan Poe, The Thousand-and-Second Tale of...
    • 1909, O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), A Municipal Report I have seen (on one of my imaginary tours) the Sultan of Turkey bowstring with his own hands one of his wives who had uncovered her face in public.

Forms

bowstrings bowstringing bowstrung bowstringed