# arrow

Pronunciation: US say "A-roh" /ˈæɹoʊ/; UK say "AIR-oh" /ˈæɹəʊ/

## Noun

1. A shafted projectile with a pointed tip and stabilizing fins at the tail, launched from a bow.
   - Simple: A thin stick with a sharp point and feathers at one end, shot from a bow.
   - _The archer loosed an arrow that struck the center of the target._
   - _The archer pulled an arrow from her quiver and aimed carefully at the target._
2. A mark or symbol shaped like an arrow, such as → or ->, used to point in a direction or, in computing and mathematics, to show a relationship or operation.
   - Simple: A mark like → or -> that points a direction or, in computer code, has a special meaning.
   - _A green arrow on the screen pointed toward the next gate._
   - _The map used red arrows to trace the hiking route._
3. A connecting line in a graph that runs in one direction, from one vertex to another.
   - Simple: A line in a diagram that points from one dot to another.
   - _Each arrow in the graph runs from one vertex to another in a single direction._
   - _Reversing the arrows in the diagram produces the opposite flow._
5. A dart thrown at the board in the game of darts. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A throwing dart used in the game of darts.
   - _He needed his last arrow to land in double sixteen to win the leg._
   - _She lined up her arrows on the table before her turn._
7. In category theory, a morphism, or map from one object to another.
   - Simple: In some kinds of math, a link from one object to another.
   - _Each arrow in the category represents a map between two objects._
   - _Two arrows compose when the target of one matches the source of the other._

## Verb

4. To move, or send something, swiftly and directly, the way an arrow flies.
   - Simple: To move fast and straight, or to send something fast and straight, like an arrow.
   - _Migrating geese arrow across the evening sky in tight formation._
   - _The kayak arrowed between the rocks as the current quickened._
6. To move through a screen or menu by pressing the arrow keys.
   - Simple: To move around on a screen by pressing the arrow keys.
   - _Players arrow across the grid to position each piece._
   - _He arrowed down to the last row of the spreadsheet._
8. To single out or nominate someone to take responsibility for something, especially an unpleasant task. *(Singapore, Singlish)*
   - Simple: To pick someone to do a job, usually one no one wants.
   - _Management arrowed her for the late-night calls nobody volunteered for._
   - _Committees tend to arrow whoever is absent for the dullest assignments._

## Other meanings

- (noun) The flower cluster, or tassel, produced by sugar cane once the plant is mature.
- (verb) Of sugar cane, to develop its flowering tassel.

## Origin

From Middle English arwe, from Old English earh, going back through Proto-Germanic *arhwō to Proto-Indo-European *h₂érkʷo- ("bow, arrow"). It is related to Icelandic ör ("arrow") and Latin arcus ("bow").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/arrow (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).