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

One of the most common etchings in the New Forest is a broad arrow head known as "the King's Mark" used to identify trees reserved for building Royal Navy ships, the NPA said.

From BBC

The largest, straightest pines were claimed by the crown and marked with the “king’s broad arrow” — three strokes of a hatchet creating a spearhead design.

From New York Times

Certainly they have “injured this stone” by carving upon it the Governmental “broad arrow.”

From Project Gutenberg

The position was not ideal, the formation being that of a broad arrow, with the two Army Corps practically at right angles to one another.

From Project Gutenberg

"Why it looks like—it is—a broad arrow as I live:" and he went close and looked up at it.

From Project Gutenberg