dart thrower
- noun
- Specialized
:
lanzador de dardos
- A skilled hunter can launch a spear much farther using a dart thrower than by hand alone.
Examples
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The ancient Aztecs used a dart thrower called an atlatl to hunt animals.
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Researchers found a dart thrower among the artifacts at the archeological site.
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The dart thrower was made from local materials.
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Many dart throwers are crafted by skilled artisans.
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The ancient Aztecs used a dart thrower called an atlatl to hunt animals.
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Researchers found a dart thrower among the artifacts at the archeological site.
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A skilled hunter can launch a spear much farther using a dart thrower than by hand alone.
Synonyms
5
5.3
A simple weapon made from a forked stick and strap for throwing small stones
1
8.2
A tool for throwing a spear or dart much farther than by hand
A flat wooden tool used like a sling to throw a spear farther
A wooden tool used to throw a spear farther and faster
A large ancient weapon that shoots heavy arrows or stones during war
How Far
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning ('a device or person that propels darts') is directly and compositionally derived from 'dart' (a small pointed missile) + 'thrower' (one who propels objects). This follows a common noun+agent/product compound pattern and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning (perhaps with minor ambiguity about person vs. tool).
Etymology
Dart thrower is the name for a simple hunting tool used to launch a dart much farther than by hand. It works like a short stick or sling that gives the thrower extra speed, so the name shows its job: 'to throw farther'.