Arrow

(See also the article on economist Kenneth Arrow.)

An arrow is a projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates history and is common to most cultures.

An arrow is a long thin stick, pointed (or armed with an arrowhead[?] if the purpose is hunting rather than target-shooting) at one end and with a notch in the other. Near the notch end are three vanes, originally made from feathers but now often made of plastic, which keep the arrow pointed in the direction of travel.

To shoot an arrow with a conventional (long) bow, place the string of the bow in the notch of the arrow, rest the tip of the arrow against the body of the bow (on its right side if you are right-handed), be sure that the arrow is oriented so that one vane is directly opposite the body of the bow, pull back on the string, and let go. Right-handed people hold the bow with their left hand, have their left side facing the target, sight along the arrow (towards the target) with their left eye, and handle the arrow and string with their right hand. The left wrist should be bent outward so that the returning string doesn't scrape the inside of the wrist or catch on a wrist-guard.

Somebody else supply how-to for using a crossbow and maybe something on how arrows differ from darts[?].