The word "crossbow" is spelled as /krɒsboʊ/. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word reveals the sounds of each letter in the word. The /kr/ sound for "cross" represents the hard "k" sound followed by the "r" sound, while the /s/ sound represents the "s" sound. The /b/ sound for "bow" represents the voiced "b" sound, and the /oʊ/ represents the diphthong sound of the long "o" and the long "u" sounds. Therefore, "crossbow" sounds like "kross-boh".
A crossbow is a weapon that consists of a bow mounted on a horizontal stock, creating a powerful and accurate mechanism for shooting projectiles. It features a mechanism that locks the drawn bowstring, keeping it under tension until released. This design allows for easier aiming and increased precision compared to traditional bows.
The term "crossbow" originates from the combination of two words: "cross" denotes the way the bow is mounted perpendicular to the stock, while "bow" refers to the flexible and elastic weapon used to propel the projectiles. It is believed that crossbows have been used for hunting and warfare since ancient times, with evidence of their existence dating back thousands of years.
Crossbows typically consist of a stock, a bow that spans the width of the stock and limbs which can be made of various materials like wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. The bowstring, constructed of strong, elastic material, connects the two ends of the bow. The projectile, commonly called a bolt or quarrel, is loaded onto the stock and held in place by the projectile track or rail.
To shoot a crossbow, the bowstring is drawn back, and when released, it propels the bolt with great force and accuracy towards the target. Crossbows vary in size and power, from small handheld models used for recreational purposes to larger heavy-duty ones designed for hunting or military applications.
Today, crossbows are widely used for hunting, target shooting, and sport competitions, combining the mechanics of a traditional bow with the ease of use and accuracy of a firearm.
A weapon formed by fastening a bow at the end of a stock.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "crossbow" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Middle English word "crossebowe", which can be traced back to the Old English word "crucboga".
The term "crossebowe" is a combination of two words: "crosse" and "bowe". "Crosse" comes from the Old French word "crosse", meaning "hooked staff" or "crozier", which ultimately derives from the Latin word "crux", meaning "cross". The term "crosse" was used because the stock (the part held against the shoulder) of the crossbow had a resemblance to a bishop's crozier or a cross.
The term "bowe" refers to the bow-like mechanism used in the weapon.