longbow

Everyday

1. A large bow, about as tall as a man, made of one piece of wood (often yew), used for shooting arrows. tree →
2. (history) The famous weapon of English and Welsh archers in the Middle Ages. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about medieval battles, longbowmen helped the English win at Crécy (1346) and Agincourt (1415). In stories about Robin Hood, he shoots a longbow. In PE or clubs, archery may use modern bows. Phrases: longbowman, draw a longbow.

Examples

• Robin Hood was a great shot with the longbow. tree →
• English longbows were made from yew wood. tree →
• The archers drew their longbows and fired. tree →
• At Agincourt, longbowmen helped win the battle. tree →
• A longbow can shoot an arrow over 200 metres. tree →
• Medieval boys had to practise with the longbow every Sunday. tree →
• The longbow is taller than most people. tree →
• First came a whole troop of drummers, beating their drums very cleverly; they were followed by life-guards, with longbows and crossbows. tree →

Note

Countable: one word. Compare: crossbow (a bow fixed on a stock and fired with a trigger), shortbow. «To draw the longbow» is also an old idiom meaning «to tell exaggerated stories».