bowstring

== English == === Etymology === From bow +‎ string. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈboʊ.stɹɪŋ/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbəʊ.stɹɪŋ/ Hyphenation: bow‧string === Noun === bowstring (plural bowstrings) The string of an archer's bow. (historical) The string of an archer's bow, as used by the Turks for strangling offenders. ==== Derived terms ==== (string of an archer's bow): bowstring bridge, bowstring girder, bowstring hemp, bowstring knot ==== Translations ==== === Verb === bowstring (third-person singular simple present bowstrings, present participle bowstringing, simple past and past participle bowstrung or bowstringed) (transitive) To strangle with a bowstring. 1909, O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), A Municipal Report I have seen (on one of my imaginary tours) the Sultan of Turkey bowstring with his own hands one of his wives who had uncovered her face in public.