selfbow
A bow made from a single piece of wood (often referred to as a bow stave).
Noun
- A bow made from a single piece of wood (often referred to as a bow stave).
- With reſpect to a bow being made round, we muſt recollect, that [Roger] Aſcham ſpeaks of a ſelf'''-bow; which, it ſeems, was made round as well as the back as in the belly: but back'd-bows have almoſt always a flat...
- Many Archers use a piece of waxed cloth, which is of great utility, as it not only gives the Bow a polish, but is a preventative against damps penetrating; this precaution however, is not so much required for self Bows,...
- [A] backed bow does not exceed a self bow, except that it is thought by some to be pleasanter and easier to draw, especially in the last inch, and of quicker cast. - 1831, T[homas] B[urgeland] Johnson, “BOW”, in The...
Synonyms: simple bow
Antonyms: backed bow
Origin
From self (“having its own or a single nature or character throughout without addition or change, unmixed; (archery) of a bow: made from a single piece of wood”, adjective) + bow.