First recorded in 1810–20, woomera is from the Dharuk word wu-ma-ra
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Locals believe it portrays an Aboriginal man carrying a woomera - a throwing stick - in his left hand.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2018
I believe that the method of holding the spear varies somewhat, some natives placing the handle of the woomera between the first and remaining fingers.
From Spinifex and Sand by Carnegie, David Wynford
He carried two spears, a woomera, and a boomerang, while an appliance for making fire hung at his belt.
From In the Musgrave Ranges by Sayce, Conrad H. (Conrad Harvey)
As the hand moves forward the spear is released by uplifting the forefinger, and the woomera remains in the hand.
From Spinifex and Sand by Carnegie, David Wynford
The spear is thrown by means of a woomera which is a slight rod about three feet long having at one end a niche to receive the end of the spear.
From Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Volume 2 by Mitchell, Thomas
Until now, the only British satellite-bearing rocket was launched from Woomera in Australia in 1971.
From New York Times ● Oct. 11, 2022
The launch site then was a military rocket range near Woomera in South Australia state.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2022
Whatever material is collected by the spacecraft will be stored onboard until Hayabusa 2 reaches its landing site in Woomera, South Australia, in 2020 after a journey of more than three billion miles.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 21, 2019
One of the properties—Anna Creek, the world’s biggest cattle station—partly straddles the Woomera missile-testing range in South Australia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2016
Woomera only checks it occasionally to train radar operators.
From If at First You Don't... by Brudy, John
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.
