nock

1 of 2

noun

1
: one of the notches cut in either of two tips of horn fastened on the ends of a bow or in the bow itself for holding the string
2
a
: the part of an arrow having a notch for the bowstring
b
: the notch itself

nock

2 of 2

verb

nocked; nocking; nocks

transitive verb

1
: to make a nock in (a bow or arrow)
2
: to fit (an arrow) against the bowstring

Examples of nock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When the bow is limber enough to bend over your knee, whittle nocks 1 inch from either end, cutting into the sides only. Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023 Whittle a nock at one end of the shaft and a deeper notch at the other end for the point. Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023 Use the 11-degree taper for the nock. Andrew Del-Colle, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2020 Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) and nock sensors increase safety and boost peace of mind. Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2021 The Vector-Quad cable technology, which uses four cables rather than two, eliminates cam lean and generates straight nock travel. Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2021 The bolt is supported in the bow via a traditional nock and a rest at the front of the bow; there is no contact with a barrel in between, and that’s a recipe for excellent accuracy. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nocke notched tip on the end of a bow; akin to Middle Dutch nocke summit

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nock was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near nock

Cite this Entry

“Nock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nock. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nock

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!