crossbows
- Term Type
Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Preferred Term
crossbows
- Details
Bows basically consisting of a curved stave mounted crosswise on a center shaft by means of a system of cord or gut bindings or metal bands, the string being drawn back, held, and released by some mechanical means such as a windlass or a rotatable nut. They were in use as early as the 11th century and continue to be used contemporarily for hunting and recreation.
- Variations
crossbow
cross-bows
cross-bow
- Broader Term