longbow

[ lawng-boh, long- ]

noun

1. a large bow drawn by hand, as that used by English archers from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

longbow

/ ˈlɒŋˌbəʊ /

noun

1. a large powerful hand-drawn bow, esp as used in medieval England

Word History and Origins

Origin of longbow¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; long ¹ + bow ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. draw the longbow, to exaggerate in telling stories; overstate something:

   He's sure to draw the longbow on the size of his catch of fish.

Example Sentences

The English have their longbows, the Rus have warrior-priests on horseback, and the Mongols can move their production buildings after being placed, to name a few.

From Washington Post

Hadza men of northern Tanzania, for example, leave camp daily to walk the savanna woodland in search of food, armed with wooden longbows and a selection of poisoned arrows.

From Popular-Science

Let not the reader imagine that we are drawing the longbow here, and making these Moors to be more cruel than they really were.

From Project Gutenberg

The Quarel or bolt used for the crossbow is shorter and thicker than that used for the longbow.

From Project Gutenberg

A tall man appeared upon the shore of the island, a longbow in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Kenric many times took up his longbow and sent his arrow shafts swiftly towards the heart of his enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

"Let every man who can draw a longbow, or wield pike or sword, be sent upon the ships," said the knight.

From Project Gutenberg