Bow-ology
Glossary of words that you stumble across in magazine's and online that you may or may not know.
A
AMO- Archery Manufacturer's Organization.
AMO Speed Rating- AMO set this standard for evaluating arrow speed. To discover the AMO speed a bow is set at 60 pounds, with a 30-inch draw and shooting arrows that weigh 540 grains. For today's compounds, speeds over 240 fps are considered fast while anything under 220 fps are relatively slow.
anchor- When you draw the bow and hold the string in the same location every time. Many people who shoot use the corner of their mouth as an anchor point.
antlers- One of the solid deciduous horns, usually branched, of an animal of the deer family.
archer's paradox- Describes the movement of the arrow as it bends and flexes around a riser when released.
armguard- Placed on the arm that holds the bow. An armguard protects your arm from being slapped by the bowstring on release.
archery freaks- Individuals that love the sport of archery in the form of 3-D, competition, hunting or for fun.
arrow- A slender, straight, generally pointed missile or weapon made to be shot from a bow and equipped with feather at the end of the shaft near the nock, for controlling flight.
arrow case- A box of wood or other material in which arrows are transported. Each arrow is usually held separate from its fellow.
arrow length- Arrows are cut to a specified length. Measured from bottom of nock to the end of arrow shaft.
arrow nock- The notch at the end of the arrow designed to fit around the bowstring and hold the arrow in place on the string.
arrow plate- A piece of horn, pretty shell or leather just above the handle on the left side of a bow, where the arrow passes as it leaves the bow.
arrow rest- Where the arrow rest during draw. These may be simple fixed rest or spring-loaded.
arrow shaft- The wooden, aluminum or carbon of an arrows.
arrowsmith- One whose business was to make metal arrowheads.
artillery- The old time word for bows and arrows.
ascham- A tall, narrow cabinet in which bows and arrows are kept.
axle- The axles are the shafts on which a compound bow's cams rotate.
axle-to-axle length- The distance from one axle of a compound bow to the other.
AMO- Archery Manufacturer's Organization.
AMO Speed Rating- AMO set this standard for evaluating arrow speed. To discover the AMO speed a bow is set at 60 pounds, with a 30-inch draw and shooting arrows that weigh 540 grains. For today's compounds, speeds over 240 fps are considered fast while anything under 220 fps are relatively slow.
anchor- When you draw the bow and hold the string in the same location every time. Many people who shoot use the corner of their mouth as an anchor point.
antlers- One of the solid deciduous horns, usually branched, of an animal of the deer family.
archer's paradox- Describes the movement of the arrow as it bends and flexes around a riser when released.
armguard- Placed on the arm that holds the bow. An armguard protects your arm from being slapped by the bowstring on release.
archery freaks- Individuals that love the sport of archery in the form of 3-D, competition, hunting or for fun.
arrow- A slender, straight, generally pointed missile or weapon made to be shot from a bow and equipped with feather at the end of the shaft near the nock, for controlling flight.
arrow case- A box of wood or other material in which arrows are transported. Each arrow is usually held separate from its fellow.
arrow length- Arrows are cut to a specified length. Measured from bottom of nock to the end of arrow shaft.
arrow nock- The notch at the end of the arrow designed to fit around the bowstring and hold the arrow in place on the string.
arrow plate- A piece of horn, pretty shell or leather just above the handle on the left side of a bow, where the arrow passes as it leaves the bow.
arrow rest- Where the arrow rest during draw. These may be simple fixed rest or spring-loaded.
arrow shaft- The wooden, aluminum or carbon of an arrows.
arrowsmith- One whose business was to make metal arrowheads.
artillery- The old time word for bows and arrows.
ascham- A tall, narrow cabinet in which bows and arrows are kept.
axle- The axles are the shafts on which a compound bow's cams rotate.
axle-to-axle length- The distance from one axle of a compound bow to the other.
B
balloon feather- A feather that has been cut parabolic or curbed.
barb- A projection on a hunting head which prevents its easily being withdrawn.
barrelled- A barrelled arrow is heavier in the middle and tapers toward each end.
bast- The twisted straw back of a target.
bedding area- An area where the deer way lay down when not feeding. Usually under trees or in thick foliage.
belly- The belly of a bow is the rounded side, held towards you when shooting.
blind- Is a cover device for hunters, designed to reduce the chance of detection.
blunt- An arrow tip that is not pointed. Usually used to hunt small game or to stump shoot.
bobtailed arrow- An arrow that is thicker at the pile end. It tapers to the nock.
bow press- A device that is used to release the tension of cables and strings on a bow to help in repair and maintenance.
bow square- Used to measure brace height or to align nocking points.
bow stave- The stick, stave or piece of wood from which a bow is made.
bowyer- A maker of bows.
brace height- Is the distance from the inside of the grip to the string.
bracer- Another name for an armguard.
brash- Wood is called brash when it is brittle.
broadhead- A flat, triangular, steel arrowhead with sharp edges. They generally feature at least one-inch of cutting diameter and may be fixed blades or mechanicals.
brush button- For recurve and longbows, these rubber round items are placed on a bowstring to prevent brush from catching between the bowstring and the bow.
bubble level- Is an instrument on your sights that let's you know if your bow is level.
butt- A hillock or mound of earth or sod on which target faces are attached to be shot at.
balloon feather- A feather that has been cut parabolic or curbed.
barb- A projection on a hunting head which prevents its easily being withdrawn.
barrelled- A barrelled arrow is heavier in the middle and tapers toward each end.
bast- The twisted straw back of a target.
bedding area- An area where the deer way lay down when not feeding. Usually under trees or in thick foliage.
belly- The belly of a bow is the rounded side, held towards you when shooting.
blind- Is a cover device for hunters, designed to reduce the chance of detection.
blunt- An arrow tip that is not pointed. Usually used to hunt small game or to stump shoot.
bobtailed arrow- An arrow that is thicker at the pile end. It tapers to the nock.
bow press- A device that is used to release the tension of cables and strings on a bow to help in repair and maintenance.
bow square- Used to measure brace height or to align nocking points.
bow stave- The stick, stave or piece of wood from which a bow is made.
bowyer- A maker of bows.
brace height- Is the distance from the inside of the grip to the string.
bracer- Another name for an armguard.
brash- Wood is called brash when it is brittle.
broadhead- A flat, triangular, steel arrowhead with sharp edges. They generally feature at least one-inch of cutting diameter and may be fixed blades or mechanicals.
brush button- For recurve and longbows, these rubber round items are placed on a bowstring to prevent brush from catching between the bowstring and the bow.
bubble level- Is an instrument on your sights that let's you know if your bow is level.
butt- A hillock or mound of earth or sod on which target faces are attached to be shot at.
C
cable guide- Is needed to hold the cables out of the way of the arrow. The cable guad simply pushes the cables off to the side. see pic
calls- A instrument used to mock the sound of animals.
camo- Something that blends a hunter with the surrounding environment through deception.
cams- Sit on axles attached at the ends of the limbs. Together with the cables, they enable the force required to bend the limbs to be geared down to a force that can be provided by the archer.
carriage bow- A bow joined under the handle in a ferrule so it comes apart and makes for easy transportation.
center serving- The center portion of the bowstring is wrapped to protect the bowstring from damage, either from the release aid or from the string hitting the cable guard.
centershot- The alignment of the arrow in the power path of the string.
chested arrou- An arrow is chested when it is thickest toward the nock end and tapers to the pile and nock.
clout- A small white faced target with a black bull's eye used in archery-golf and clout shooting.
cock feather- The odd colored or marked feather
compound bow- A modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs.
cresting- The colored designs on the end of an arrow shaft.
crossbou- An old time weapon made with a short steel or horn bow set crosswhise on a stock.
crow bill- An arrow head of horn, as used in Northern France.
curl- A curl or swirl in the grain of a bowstave.
cable guide- Is needed to hold the cables out of the way of the arrow. The cable guad simply pushes the cables off to the side. see pic
calls- A instrument used to mock the sound of animals.
camo- Something that blends a hunter with the surrounding environment through deception.
cams- Sit on axles attached at the ends of the limbs. Together with the cables, they enable the force required to bend the limbs to be geared down to a force that can be provided by the archer.
carriage bow- A bow joined under the handle in a ferrule so it comes apart and makes for easy transportation.
center serving- The center portion of the bowstring is wrapped to protect the bowstring from damage, either from the release aid or from the string hitting the cable guard.
centershot- The alignment of the arrow in the power path of the string.
chested arrou- An arrow is chested when it is thickest toward the nock end and tapers to the pile and nock.
clout- A small white faced target with a black bull's eye used in archery-golf and clout shooting.
cock feather- The odd colored or marked feather
compound bow- A modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs.
cresting- The colored designs on the end of an arrow shaft.
crossbou- An old time weapon made with a short steel or horn bow set crosswhise on a stock.
crow bill- An arrow head of horn, as used in Northern France.
curl- A curl or swirl in the grain of a bowstave.
D
dead shaft- An arrow that has no life or spine. One that flies sluggishly.
decoy- Anything that is used to lure.
doe- Female deer.
down wind- When the wind is on the archer's back.
drawing fingers- The fingers used in pulling a bow-the first three of the drawing hand.
draw length- The distance at full draw from the nocking point to the back of the grip. The AMO draw length is the distance from the nocking point to a point 1 3/4 inches past the back of the grip.
draw weight- The amount of force in pounds required to draw the bow.
drift- The drift to either side of a mark caused by acroww wind.
dry fire- To release a taught (cross)bow string while no bolt or arrow is knocked. Dry Firing a (cross)bow is EXTREMELY bad for the (cross)bow. Increases stress on the string. (bravesfan319)
dead shaft- An arrow that has no life or spine. One that flies sluggishly.
decoy- Anything that is used to lure.
doe- Female deer.
down wind- When the wind is on the archer's back.
drawing fingers- The fingers used in pulling a bow-the first three of the drawing hand.
draw length- The distance at full draw from the nocking point to the back of the grip. The AMO draw length is the distance from the nocking point to a point 1 3/4 inches past the back of the grip.
draw weight- The amount of force in pounds required to draw the bow.
drift- The drift to either side of a mark caused by acroww wind.
dry fire- To release a taught (cross)bow string while no bolt or arrow is knocked. Dry Firing a (cross)bow is EXTREMELY bad for the (cross)bow. Increases stress on the string. (bravesfan319)
E
eccentric- The cam or part of the bow that is designed to control the stored energy of the bow.
efficiency- The amount of kinetic energy of the arrow just as it leaves the bow divided by the potential energy that went into drawing it, multiplied by 100.
eye- The loop at one or both ends of a bowstring.
eccentric- The cam or part of the bow that is designed to control the stored energy of the bow.
efficiency- The amount of kinetic energy of the arrow just as it leaves the bow divided by the potential energy that went into drawing it, multiplied by 100.
eye- The loop at one or both ends of a bowstring.
F
field tip- A tip used on the end of an arrow for practice. Usually a rounded point.
finger tips- Leather stalls or protectors for the three tips of the shooting fingers.
fletch- Putting the feathers on an arrow.
fletching- The feathers on an arrow, that stabilize it during flight.
fletcher- An arrowmaker.
flight arrow- An arrow used for distance shooting. It is long and light and has very small feathers.
flirt- An arrow flirts when it jumps out of its steady line of flight.
FOC- Front Of Center
food plot- The area or crop where animals feed.
FPS- Feet Per Second
field tip- A tip used on the end of an arrow for practice. Usually a rounded point.
finger tips- Leather stalls or protectors for the three tips of the shooting fingers.
fletch- Putting the feathers on an arrow.
fletching- The feathers on an arrow, that stabilize it during flight.
fletcher- An arrowmaker.
flight arrow- An arrow used for distance shooting. It is long and light and has very small feathers.
flirt- An arrow flirts when it jumps out of its steady line of flight.
FOC- Front Of Center
food plot- The area or crop where animals feed.
FPS- Feet Per Second
G
grain- The measurement of weight that is used with hunting, such as bullets, arrows, etc.
grip- Is where you hold onto the bow when shooting. The grip is located below the arrow shelf. see pic
GPI- Grains Per Inch
grain- The measurement of weight that is used with hunting, such as bullets, arrows, etc.
grip- Is where you hold onto the bow when shooting. The grip is located below the arrow shelf. see pic
GPI- Grains Per Inch
H
handle- Where the bow is held when being shot.
head- The tip or head of the arrow.
helical- Refers to the way fletching is laid on an arrow. Rather than straight, helical fletching curves slightly around the arrow shaft.
hen feather- The feathers of the same color on an arrow.
high braced- When the distance between handle and string of a strung bow is over seven inches. It is better to high brace a bow than low brace one.
holding- The slight pause just before you loose the arrow.
home- An arrow is home when it is fully drawn and ready to be shot.
horns- The tips of a bow made of cow, steer or stag horns in wheich the notches for the string are cut.
handle- Where the bow is held when being shot.
head- The tip or head of the arrow.
helical- Refers to the way fletching is laid on an arrow. Rather than straight, helical fletching curves slightly around the arrow shaft.
hen feather- The feathers of the same color on an arrow.
high braced- When the distance between handle and string of a strung bow is over seven inches. It is better to high brace a bow than low brace one.
holding- The slight pause just before you loose the arrow.
home- An arrow is home when it is fully drawn and ready to be shot.
horns- The tips of a bow made of cow, steer or stag horns in wheich the notches for the string are cut.
I
IBO- International Bowhunter's Organization
IBO Speed Rating- The International Bowhunter's Organization has a speed rating that is generally measured with a bow set at 70 pounds, 30-inch draw and shooting a 350-grain arrow.
insert- The adapter that is placed into a shaft to make a nock or arrow point fit the shaft.
IBO- International Bowhunter's Organization
IBO Speed Rating- The International Bowhunter's Organization has a speed rating that is generally measured with a bow set at 70 pounds, 30-inch draw and shooting a 350-grain arrow.
insert- The adapter that is placed into a shaft to make a nock or arrow point fit the shaft.
J
jointed bou- A carriage or two piece bow.
jointed bou- A carriage or two piece bow.
K
kick- A bow is said to kick when a jar is felt after a shot. It is due to unevenly tillered limbs.
kinetic energy- Measures the level of penetration your arrow possesses.
kisser- Allows you to anchor consistently by placing the kisser on the bowstring and makin sure it touches the same part of your lips each draw.
kick- A bow is said to kick when a jar is felt after a shot. It is due to unevenly tillered limbs.
kinetic energy- Measures the level of penetration your arrow possesses.
kisser- Allows you to anchor consistently by placing the kisser on the bowstring and makin sure it touches the same part of your lips each draw.
L
limbs- Limbs are made of composite materials and are capable of taking high tensile and compressive forces. The limbs store all the energy of the bow. see pic
loop- A string in a U shape tied on the bow string around the nock point that a release aid is attached to when shooting.
limbs- Limbs are made of composite materials and are capable of taking high tensile and compressive forces. The limbs store all the energy of the bow. see pic
loop- A string in a U shape tied on the bow string around the nock point that a release aid is attached to when shooting.