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
A burned device or character, especially that of the broad arrow on government stores, to deface or erase which is felony.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
One of them was white-headed; the other wore the jacket and cap, the badge and broad arrow of a convict.
From A Son of Hagar A Romance of Our Time by Caine, Hall, Sir
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
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
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.
