Broken Arrow

¹ American  

[broh-kuhn ar-oh] / ˈbroʊ kən ˈær oʊ /

Or broken arrow

noun

U.S. Military.

1. 1. a nuclear weapon that has been removed from the arsenal by theft, loss, accidental launch or detonation, etc., but has not resulted in harm.

   2. the theft, accidental launch, or other event that causes such a weapon to be removed from the arsenal.

2. a code phrase summoning all military aircraft in the area to the immediate support of ground forces about to be overwhelmed.

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Broken Arrow ² American  

[broh-kuhn ar-oh] / ˈbroʊ kən ˈær oʊ /

noun

1. a town in northeastern Oklahoma.

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Etymology

Origin of Broken Arrow

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The one warlike note was a comic-strip series of sketches showing a duel between centaurs, which ended with the loser crumpled across a broken arrow and the horned winner looking downcast.

From Time Magazine Archive

There came a whistle in the air, and then a sounding smack, and the fragments of a broken arrow fell about their ears. 

From The Black Arrow by Stevenson, Robert Louis

I flung the broken arrow on the ground.

From Salute to Adventurers by Buchan, John

The sculptured figure is in a lying position, and a broken arrow or spear is in its side. 

From From the Thames to the Tiber or, My visit to Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Switzerland, etc. by Wardle, J.

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From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.