broad arrow

American  

noun

1. a mark in the shape of a broad arrowhead, placed upon British government property.

2. Archery. an arrow having an expanded head.

3. Heraldry. pheon.

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broad arrow British  

noun

1. a mark shaped like a broad arrowhead designating British government property and formerly used on prison clothing

2. an arrow with a broad head

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Etymology

Origin of broad arrow

1350–1400; Middle English brod arwe

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

broad arrow

Social significance marks some of the sculptures: one has the broad arrow of the British "Ban the Bomb" movement.

From Time Magazine Archive

There he drew out a fair broad arrow, His bow was great and long, He set that arrow in his bow, That was both stiff and strong.

From The Book of Brave Old Ballads by Gilbert, John, Sir

A second broad arrow, square across the way.

From The Wolf Patrol A Tale of Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts by Finnemore, John

There was a sharp struggle between rival claimants for the possession of the ship, but the Gordian knot was cut by the British Government which placed the "broad arrow" upon her.

From The Narrative of a Blockade-Runner by Wilkinson, John

Whether the German tongue is split in the middle by N'glili River, so that it forms a flattened broad arrow, with the central prong the river is a moot point.

From Bones Being Further Adventures in Mr. Commissioner Sanders' Country by Wallace, Edgar