bowstring
Americannoun
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the string of an archer's bow.
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a string, typically of horsehair, for the bow of an instrument of the violin and viol families.
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(especially in the Ottoman Empire) a similar string for killing people by strangulation.
verb (used with object)
noun
Etymology
Origin of bowstring
First recorded in 1350–1400, bowstring is from Middle English bowe streng. See bow 2, string
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"We found pronounced development in the upper limbs of these individuals, which correlates to repetitive, high-intensity actions like pulling a bowstring or stabilizing a weapon, proving these activities were habitual throughout their lives," explained Hashesh.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
Taking cover behind a rock, he drew his bowstring and with a single strike landed an arrow close to its neck.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
Loading the arrow with the toes of his right foot, he leans forward to latch the bowstring with a hook attached to his right shoulder.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2024
Handle feelings at such length and at such bowstring pitch and they tend to go fetid.
From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2021
Sam now went up the iron bowstring bridge to feed Frightful only if the equipment on the bridge indicated it was going to be another noisy day.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
"You rascally old villain! you deserve bowstringing for this," cried Mole.
From Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks Book Number Fifteen in the Jack Harkaway Series by Bracebridge Hemyng
"We shall all be bowstrung if his excellency thinks us wanting in respect."
From Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks Book Number Fifteen in the Jack Harkaway Series by Bracebridge Hemyng
Though she was not giving way before him, her attitude, in its steadiness, reflected distress in a bowstrung tremulousness.
From Over the Pass by Frederick Palmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
