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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

broad arrow

Social significance marks some of the sculptures: one has the broad arrow of the British "Ban the Bomb" movement.

From Time Magazine Archive

If it had not been for her a broad arrow would as likely as not have been the decoration which he would have gained.

From Luck at the Diamond Fields by Dalrymple J. Belgrave

There he drew out a fair broad arrow, His bow was great and long, He set that arrow in his bow, That was both stiff and strong.

From The Book of Brave Old Ballads by Sir John Gilbert

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 Sir Edward Belcher

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

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Charles Reade

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