broad arrow
Americannoun
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a mark in the shape of a broad arrowhead, placed upon British government property.
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Archery. an arrow having an expanded head.
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Heraldry. pheon.
noun
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a mark shaped like a broad arrowhead designating British government property and formerly used on prison clothing
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an arrow with a broad head
Etymology
Origin of broad arrow
1350–1400; Middle English brod arwe
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.
Social significance marks some of the sculptures: one has the broad arrow of the British "Ban the Bomb" movement.
From Time Magazine Archive
When the Governor impressed them into the King's service by putting the broad arrow upon their masts, they pretended obedience, but used such delays that the fleet could not be prepared in time.
From Virginia under the Stuarts 1607-1688 by Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson
On old guns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, we find the rose and crown, but no broad arrow; more frequently Elizabeth's bear her cipher.
From Notes and Queries, Number 180, April 9, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George
The people of England put the broad arrow of their Queen upon the Rebel rams.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 92, June, 1865 by Various
She put a broad arrow in her bow, and shot at it, but aimed too high, and so by misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot deep in the thick of the thigh.
From Stories of King Arthur and His Knights Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur" by Cutler, U. Waldo
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.
