throwing-stick

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

native Australian weapon,by means of which the spear is thrown. See Woomera.

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. i.p. 12:

«The principals who perform it come from, Cammer-ray, armedwith shields, clubs, and throwing-sticks.»

Ibid. c. i. p. 26:

«The throwing-stick is used in discharging the spear. Theinstrument is from two to three feet in length, with a shellon one end and a hook on the other.»

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i.p. 72:

«Natives . . . seemingly ignorant of the use of thethrowing-stick.»

1879. J. D. Woods, `Native Tribes of South Australia,'Introd. p. xviii:

«The spear is propelled by a wommerah or throwing-stick, havingat one end a kangaroo's tooth, fixed so as to fit into a notchat the end of the spear. This instrument gives an amount ofleverage far beyond what would be excited by unaided muscularstrength.»

1880. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai,' p. 251:

«It is supposed that if the hair of a person is tied on theend of the throwing-stick. . . and roasted before the firewith some kangaroo fat, the person to whom it belonged willpine away and die.»

1885. H. H. Hayter, `Carboona,' p. 24:

«Warrk Warrk, having a dart on his throwing-stick readyadjusted, hurled it.»

Related Words

Throwing stick
·add. ·- An instrument used by various savage races for throwing a spear; — called also throw stick...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Throwing
·- ·adj & ·noun from Throw, v. II. Throwing ·p.pr. & ·vb.n. of <<Throw>>. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Stick
·vt A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab. II. Stick ·vi To cause difficulties, scruples, or h...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
to stick
To take in; to impose upon; to cheat in trade. 'I'm stuck with a counterfeit note;' 'He went to a ho...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
Mahl-stick
·noun ·see Maul-stick. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Maul-stick
·noun A stick used by painters as a rest for the hand while working. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Message stick
·add. ·- A stick, carved with lines and dots, used, ·esp. by Australian aborigines, to convey inform...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Poking-stick
·noun A small stick or rod of steel, formerly used in adjusting the plaits of ruffs. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Stick-lac
·noun ·see the Note under <<Lac>>. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Stick-seed
·noun A plant (Echinospermum Lappula) of the Borage family, with small blue flowers and prickly nutl...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Stick-tight
·noun Beggar's ticks. ...

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chop-stick
A fork. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
stick flams
A pair of gloves. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
sugar stick
The virile member. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
drafting-stick
n. a stick used in draftingcattle. 1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories,' c. x. p. 72: «We ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
fire-stick
n. name given to thelighted stick which the Australian natives frequently carryabout, when moving f...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
message-stick
n. The aboriginals sometimescarve little blocks of wood with various marks to conveymessages. These...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
paddymelon-stick
n. a stick used by theaborigines for knocking paddymelons (q.v.) on the head. 1851. J. Henderson, ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
stick-caterpillar
n. See phasmid. ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
stick-up
v. tr. 1) The regular word for theaction of bushrangers stopping passers-by on the highway androbbi...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
walking-stick
n. See phasmid. ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
whip-stick
n. variety of dwarf Eucalypt; one of the Mallees; forming thick scrub. 1874. M. C., `Explorers,' p...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
yam-stick
n. See quotation 1882, Tolmer. 1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings,' p. 27. «One leg's thin as Lie...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
to cut stick
To be off, to leave immediately and go with all speed. A vulgar expression, and often heard. It is a...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
sharp stick
'He's after him with a sharp stick;' i. e. he's determined to have satisfaction, or revenge. Western...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
stick-chimney
In newly settled parts of the country, where log-houses form the first habitations of the settlers, ...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
gob-stick
A horn or wooden spoon. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
head-stick
A short round stick with a hole at each end, through which the head-rope of some triangular sails is...

The Sailor's Word-Book
scouring-stick
See scourer ...

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palm, walking-stick
n. a Queensland plant, Bacularia monostachya, F. v. M., N.O. Palmeae.So called because the stem is ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
walking-stick palm
n. See under palm, walking-stick. ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
to cut one's stick
To be off, to leave immediately and go with all speed. A vulgar expression, and often heard. It is a...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
to shake a stick at
A ridiculous phrase very often heard in low language. When a man is puzzled to give one an idea of a...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
cut a stick, to
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The Sailor's Word-Book
throwing a steam-engine out of gear
Disconnecting the eccentric rod from the gab-lever. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
death's head upon a mop-stick
A poor miserable, emaciated fellow; one quite an otomy. See otomy.-- He looked as pleasant as the p...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose