Meaning of broken arrow | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An accidental event that involves nuclear weapons or nuclear components but does not create the risk of nuclear war.
   US, euphemistic
2. A callout marker that consists of a dashed line with an arrowhead.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see broken, arrow.

Examples

“A broken arrow A - - -> B indicates that an occasional result of Section A is used in Section B, but that Section B is essentially independent of Section A.”

“Longitudinal scan of focal thickening and disruption of the median nerve (broken arrow), at the level volar to the distal radius, in keeping with scarring from prior trauma. (F) Sagittal proton density MR image of nonspecific thickening of the 2. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 3. 4. median nerve (broken arrow), with a similar configuration.”

“Note that the uptake of pertechnetate (i.e., darkness) is comparable between the two thyroid lobes (solid arrow) and the salivary glands (broken arrow).”

“In the US, the code name for a serious nuclear weapons incident is "Broken Arrow". It is US policy neither to confirm nor deny the existence of nuclear weapons at any specific location; this also applies to Broken Arrow incidents.”

CEFR level