🪃 A returning boomerang 🏹 A spear tool

throwing stick

8.9

A wooden tool used to throw a spear farther and faster

noun

: atlatl

The Indigenous hunters skillfully used a throwing stick to increase the speed of their spears.

Examples

How could he have forgotten that javelins and throwing sticks were all but useless in a night battle?

Fiction book (1990)
These are either dug out of their burrows and clubbed, or killed with a 30 cm long throwing stick if seen out in the open.

Academic text (1991)
In the ancient tournament, competitors showcased their accuracy with a throwing stick to propel darts at targets.
During the demonstration, the instructor explained how a throwing stick helps to propel a dart further.

Synonyms

atlatl

vsthrowing stick

Specialized

1 9.9

A stick that helps you throw a spear or dart much farther

focuses on increasing distance and speed rather than the levering method

spear thrower

vsthrowing stick

1 8.2

A tool for throwing a spear or dart much farther than by hand

is the general name for the same device used in ancient societies

dart thrower

vsthrowing stick

Specialized

8.2

A tool like a stick that helps you throw a spear or dart farther

describes the same propelling use without stressing sling-like form

throwing board

vsthrowing stick

Specialized

9.6

A flat wooden tool used like a sling to throw a spear farther

focuses on increasing distance and speed rather than highlighting traditional form

How Far

bow

95 5.2

sling

5 5.3

throwing stick

8.9

spear

194 1.2

arm throw

1 2.8

Surface Forms

throwing stick singular

throwing sticks plural

Morphology

throw + stick

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'throw' (to propel) with 'stick' (a handheld rod): it denotes a stick used for throwing. This is a straightforward compound noun pattern common across languages and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Throwing stick The noun throwing stick is a simple tool that helps you throw a spear or dart farther and faster by using the stick as a lever. So, it means a wooden tool used to launch a 'spear' or 'dart' with more distance and speed.