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ar·row

(ărō)

1. A missile having a straight thin shaft and typically having a pointed head at one end and flight-stabilizing vanes at the tail end, meant to be shot from a bow.

2. Something, such as a directional symbol, that is similar to an arrow in form or function.

v. arrowed, arrow·ing, arrows

v. intr.

To move like an arrow.

v. tr.

To shoot with an arrow: arrowed a deer.

[Middle English arwe, from Old English.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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