Illustration of atlatl
- A atlatl
atlatl
noun
at·latl
ˈät-ˌlä-tᵊl 
: a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (such as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released
Examples of atlatl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At this year’s gathering, participants were taught how to use the atlatl, a spear-throwing hunting tool that predates the bow and arrow.
—
Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
To celebrate, the active paleontological dig site and museum is hosting Mammoth Days on June 21 and 22, complete with kids’ bouncy houses, a barbecue and food trucks, and even an atlatl (a type of spear-throwing device) competition.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Among their finds, archaeologists identified an atlatl, which is a spear-like dart thrower, and two wooden darts.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Like the atlatl, mastering the sling took practice and technique, but when spun and released with expertise, a sling could hurl a small rock a distance of several hundred yards at speeds estimated to be anywhere from 60 to 100 miles per hour and with bone-crushing force.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
The tiny experimental points were used as arrowheads and shot by bow or atlatl, and the resulting fractures were compared with the scars found on the archeological material.
—Laure Metz, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2023
Beside the bones were several stone projectile points that likely were used with an atlatl, as well as other equipment for butchering an animal and tanning its hide.
—Kate Baggaley, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2020
The weapon of choice at that time -- a spear known as an atlatl -- had low accuracy, encouraging broad participation, and using it was a skill learned from childhood.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Nov. 2020
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Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
To celebrate, the active paleontological dig site and museum is hosting Mammoth Days on June 21 and 22, complete with kids’ bouncy houses, a barbecue and food trucks, and even an atlatl (a type of spear-throwing device) competition.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Among their finds, archaeologists identified an atlatl, which is a spear-like dart thrower, and two wooden darts.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Like the atlatl, mastering the sling took practice and technique, but when spun and released with expertise, a sling could hurl a small rock a distance of several hundred yards at speeds estimated to be anywhere from 60 to 100 miles per hour and with bone-crushing force.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
The tiny experimental points were used as arrowheads and shot by bow or atlatl, and the resulting fractures were compared with the scars found on the archeological material.
—Laure Metz, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2023
Beside the bones were several stone projectile points that likely were used with an atlatl, as well as other equipment for butchering an animal and tanning its hide.
—Kate Baggaley, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2020
The weapon of choice at that time -- a spear known as an atlatl -- had low accuracy, encouraging broad participation, and using it was a skill learned from childhood.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Nov. 2020
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Cite this Entry
“Atlatl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atlatl. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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