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
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
The broad arrow of the King was marked on all white pines, twenty-four inches in diameter, three feet from the ground.
From The Old Coast Road From Boston to Plymouth by Rothery, Agnes
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
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
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.
