bow (weapon)

A projectile weapon that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.

A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles (arrows or quarrels, sometimes stones) by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord. As this string is drawn, energy is stored in the flexible limbs of the bow; the energy is transferred to the arrow when the string is released, projecting it much farther than a weapon could be thrown.

The bow is considered as a specialist weapon, since training with a bow requires a lifetime of training and physical demand for the usage of the bow to be efficient.