Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A throwing device usually consisting of a stick fitted with a thong or socket to steady the butt of a spear or dart and extend the length it travels.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The throwing-stick of the Mexicans, used for propelling spears with great force. See
throwing-stick .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A spear thrower: 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.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The atlatl is an ancient throwing weapon that predates bows and arrows.
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My last post included the word atlatl as a humorous rhyme.
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Back then, the atlatl was the American Indian hunter's main means of catching prey.
unknown title 2009
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The atlatl is a weapon perfected in ancient times, it is so easy to learn, many people pick it up and hit the target.
unknown title 2009
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This point, he says, "probably functioned as an atlatl dart point or knife," and "probably dates to the Late Archaic subperiod (6,000-3,000 years ago)."
March 2009 2009
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This point, he says, "probably functioned as an atlatl dart point or knife," and "probably dates to the Late Archaic subperiod (6,000-3,000 years ago)."
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There is room for all methods -- rifle, shotgun, bow, crossbow, atlatl.
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This makes me want to place my atlatl in her all-that-is-warmth.
I Know Where the Yakonan Have Gone Tara M. M. Larkin 2011
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There is room for all methods -- rifle, shotgun, bow, crossbow, atlatl.
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Long range (stand off) atlatl propelled throwing spears.
Some time back Dave Petzel made an excellent post concering the last days of Neanderthal man. 2009
oroboros commented on the word atlatl
The longest uncommon tautonym beginning with 'a'.
--Chris Cole, Wordplay (See comment under "Wordplay List".)
May 25, 2008
smeggo commented on the word atlatl
Fingerflinger.
October 10, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word atlatl
Some related conversation can be found on axolotl.
July 8, 2009
knitandpurl commented on the word atlatl
"A Rwandan man-at-arms grasps an atlatl and casts a fatal shaft that can stab a grand marshall."
Eunoia by Christian Bök (upgraded edition), p 28
May 20, 2010
bilby commented on the word atlatl
Would be a good name for an aerospace port.
July 23, 2022