Meaning of self-bow | Babel Free

Definitions

Noun. [B2]

Examples

“With reſpect to a bow being made round, we muſt recollect, that [Roger] Aſcham ſpeaks of a ſelf'''-bow; which, it ſeems, was made round as well as the back as in the belly: but back'd-bows have⟳ almoſt always a flat back, to prevent⟳ their caſting.”

“I once made a beautiful self-bow from a large branch of yew, which was amputated, after two valuable coach-horses had been poisoned by feeding on its leaves.”

“The self-bow is the real old Engish weapon; the one with which the many mighty deeds that rendered this country renowned in times gone by were performed; […] Of the woods for self-bows, Yew beyond all question⟳ carries off the palm; other woods have⟳ been, and still are, in use⟳, such as lance, Cocus, Washaba, Rose, Snake, and some others; but they may be summarily dismissed with the remark⟳, that self-bows made of these woods are all, without exception radically bad, being heavy in hand, apt to jar, comparatively dull in cast⟳, and very liable to chrysal and break⟳, and that no archer should use⟳ them so long as a self-yew or a good backed-bow is within his reach⟳.”

CEFR level