nock

American  

[nok] / nɒk /

noun

1. a metal or plastic piece at the end of an arrow, having a notch for the bowstring.

2. a notch or groove at the end of an arrow into which the bowstring fits.

3. a notch or groove at each end of a bow, to hold the bowstring in place.

4. Nautical. throat.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a nock.

2. to adjust (the arrow) to the bowstring, in readiness to shoot.

nock British  

/ nɒk /

noun

1. a notch on an arrow that fits on the bowstring

2. either of the grooves at each end of a bow that hold the bowstring

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verb

1. to fit (an arrow) on a bowstring

2. to put a groove or notch in (a bow or arrow)

Etymology

Origin of nock

1325–75; Middle English nok ( ke ) (noun); akin to Dutch nok, Low German nok ( ke ) tip

Example Sentences

“I nock an arrow in my bow,” you say.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2014

You press the trigger and flip the wand back to nock an arrow, then point an aiming reticle at the target.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2010

Of the 3,000,000 Armenians in the Middle East, Cardinal Agagianian's Catholic nock numbers a mere 100,000.

From Time Magazine Archive

It sailed through the air so fast, there wasn’t time to nock an arrow.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Most of them could nock five or six arrows at once.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan