From Middle English nokke, attested since the 14th century, probably from a Scandinavian/North Germanic language (compare Swedish nock (“notch”), but compare Dutch nok, from Middle Dutch nocke (“tip, point”). Both could be related to nook (“corner, recess”).
From Middle English nokke, attested since the 14th century, probably from a Scandinavian/North Germanic language (compare Swedish nock (“notch”), but compare Dutch nok, from Middle Dutch nocke (“tip, point”). Both could be related to nook (“corner, recess”).
Meanings
Either of the two grooves in a bow that hold the bowstring.
Each drew his string from its waterproof case and bent the huge arc of his war-bow as he fitted it into the nocks. 1905–1906, Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Nigel, London: Smith, Elder & Co., […], published January 1906, →OCLC:
Meanwhile there had been bustle and preparation in all parts of the great vessel. The archers stood in groups about the decks, new-stringing their bows, and testing that they were firm at the nocks. 1891, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The White Company, New York, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.: Thomas Y[oung] Crowell & Company […], →OCLC:
The notch at the rear of an arrow that fits on the bowstring.
He took his arrow by the nock. [1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC:
ota گز (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · fi jänneura (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · ga eang (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · fa سوفار (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · fr encoche (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · es culatín (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · tr gez (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · cy hicyn (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · ota سوفار (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · cs zářez (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · it cocca (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · fi nokki (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · de Nocke (the notch at the rear of an arrow) · fi hahlo (the notch at the rear of an arrow)
From Middle English nokke, attested since the 14th century, probably from a Scandinavian/North Germanic language (compare Swedish nock (“notch”), but compare Dutch nok, from Middle Dutch nocke (“tip, point”). Both could be related to nook (“corner, recess”).
Meanings
(transitive) To fit (an arrow) against the bowstring of a bow or crossbow.
Then taking up his own good stout bow and nocking an arrow with care, he shot with his very greatest skill. 1883, Howard Pyle, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood […], New York, N.Y.: […] Charles Scribner’s Sons […], →OCLC:
(transitive) To cut a nock in (usually in an arrow's base or the tips of a bow).
It is a Scotch bow, I see, for the upper nock is without and the lower within. By the black rood! it is a good piece of yew, well nocked, well strung, well waxed, and very joyful to the feel. 1891, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The White Company, New York, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.: Thomas Y[oung] Crowell & Company […], →OCLC: