Arrow

An is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers called fletchings mounted near the rear, and a slot at the rear end called nock for engaging the bowstring. A container or bag carrying additional arrows for convenient reloading is called a quiver.

Most arrows are pointed, with or without barbs, and mounted on thin wooden shafts 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 ) in length. These are designed to create puncture wounds and can be frighteningly effective. There are also specialized arrowheads, including bladed (edged) arrows designed to cut rigging, blunt arrows to stun, incendiary arrows, and whistling arrows to signal or intimidate.

The use of bows and arrows by humans predates and is common to most s. A craftsman who makes arrows is a fletcher, and one that makes arrowheads is an arrowsmith.

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