atlatl
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈæt.læt.əl/
- Specialized
:
atlatl
- During the demonstration, each participant learned how to throw a dart with an atlatl for greater distance.
- atlatl darts
- atlatl and spear
- hunt with an atlatl
Examples
-
Steadfast, dart nocked in her atlatl, she crunched up the slope into the brunt of the wind.
Fiction book (1990) -
They saw spears hurled by an atlatl at a wooden pig.
Academic text (2002) -
From the feel, she knew the atlatl hook still rested in the notch.
Fiction book (1990) -
Now she had fire sticks of hardwood, and his atlatl and darts.
Fiction book (1992) -
Dancing Fox rose smoothly, arm back, muscles rolling as she used the atlatl to catapult the dart forward, all her weight behind the thrust.
Fiction book (1990) -
Left Hand, half crouched in his robes, had a dart nocked in his atlatl.
Fiction book (1992) -
Whistling Hare emerged from his lodge, fitting a dart to his atlatl.
Fiction book (1992) -
The hunter then used the atlatl like a spear or javelin, launching the stone projectile in a throwing motion in an effort to kill his prey.
Academic text (1996) -
The hunter skillfully used his atlatl to launch the spear across the open field.
-
In ancient times, hunters relied on the atlatl to increase the velocity and force of their throws.
Synonyms
A wooden tool used to throw a spear farther and faster
A flat wooden tool used like a sling to throw a spear farther
How Far
Surface Forms
Etymology
Atlatl comes from the Native Mexican language ātlātl, which means 'spear-thrower'. That's why an atlatl is a simple throwing tool that works like a long lever or launcher to send a spear much farther.