noun
- a metal or plastic piece at the end of an arrow, having a notch for the bowstring.
- a notch or groove at the end of an arrow into which the bowstring fits.
- a notch or groove at each end of a bow, to hold the bowstring in place.
- Nautical. throat(def 6a).
verb (used with object)
- to furnish with a nock.
- to adjust (the arrow) to the bowstring, in readiness to shoot.
noun
- a notch on an arrow that fits on the bowstring
- either of the grooves at each end of a bow that hold the bowstring
verb (tr)
- to fit (an arrow) on a bowstring
- to put a groove or notch in (a bow or arrow)
n.“notch on a bow,” late 14c., of uncertain origin, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Swedish nock “notch”), but cf. also Low German nokk, Dutch nok “tip of a sail.” Perhaps connected to nook. v.“fit (an arrow) to a bowstring,” 1510s, from nock (n.). Related: Nocked; nocking.