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let-off

let-off

1 9.4
The percentage a compound bow's pull drops at full draw, making it easier to hold
  • noun
  • /ˈlɛtˌɔf/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reducción de peso
  • A higher let-off makes it easier to shoot accurately.

Examples

  • When the bow is drawn, a phenomenon called let-off means the archer holds only about half the bow's total pressure while pausing to aim and release the arrow.

  • The compound bow has a let-off of 70%.

  • The new compound bow offers a 75% let-off, making it easier for archers to aim steadily.

  • With a high let-off, she could hold the bow at full draw without tiring quickly.

  • Many modern bows are designed with adjustable let-off to suit different archers' needs.

  • Hamlin pushed hard during the race, but he had to adjust his technique to manage the let-off of his compound bow for better accuracy.

  • For example, smooth-drawing, high let-off compound bows can handle weaker (and lighter) arrow shafts than other bow models.

Antonyms

1.0

To make something larger or more in number

Surface Forms

let-off singular
let-offs plural

Morphology

let-off = let + off (semi-transparent) = let + off

The archery term extends the idea of 'letting off' tension, but the percentage-based technical meaning is specialized rather than fully literal.

Etymology

Let-off in archery comes from the idea of 'letting off' some of the pull; the let part means 'allow' and off means 'away'. So a high let-off takes away much of the bow's pull at full draw, making it easier to hold.