atlatl

atlatl

English

Etymology

From Classical Nahuatl ahtlatl.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈatlat(ə)l/

Noun

atlatl (plural atlatls)

1. A spearthrower consisting of a wooden stick with a thong or perpendicularly protruding hook on the rear end that grips a grove or socket on the butt of its accompanying spear (or dart), intended to steady the spear immediately prior to throwing, to increase its potential range when thrown, and to increase its force of penetration of the target. [from 19th c.]
   • 2011, Chris Stringer, The Origin of Our Species, Penguin 2012, p. 144:

     While large game was still hunted, mainly using projectile spears but later enhanced by atlatls (spear-throwers) and bows and arrows, evidence for the exploitation of small game such as tortoises, rabbits, wild fowl and eggs increased.

Derived terms

• atlatlist

Translations

spear thrower

Chinese: Mandarin: 投槍器／投枪器 (tóuqiāng qì) Classical Nahuatl: ahtlatl Dhangu: please add this translation if you can Eastern Arrernte: please add this translation if you can German: Atlatl (de) m Gumatj: please add this translation if you can Guugu Yimidhirr: milbiir Japanese: アトラトル (atoratoru), スピアスロアー (supiasuroā) Kala Lagaw Ya: please add this translation if you can Kriol: please add this translation if you can Ngarrindjeri: thyrallghie Pitjantjatjara: please add this translation if you can Polish: atlatl m Portuguese: propulsor (pt) m Spanish: propulsor m, lanzadardos m, estólica f, átlatl m Tiwi: please add this translation if you can Tlingit: shee áan Warlpiri: please add this translation if you can Western Arrernte: please add this translation if you can Yup'ik: nuqaq

See also

• spearthrower
• woomera

Anagrams

• Allatt, tallat

---

Classical Nahuatl

Noun

atlatl

1. Alternative spelling of ahtlatl