nocking

Setting the arrow

Nocking is fitting an arrow to a bowstring in preparation for shooting.

The nock is the notch at the arrow's rear end that clips onto the string, and nocking is the act of positioning it there: She nocked an arrow and drew back the bow.

The term appears mostly in archery contexts, historical fiction, and fantasy writing.

archery

arrow

Pointed shaft for shooting

bowstringCord spanning weapon's curve
drawCreate with pencil
releaseTo let go

bow · knock · shooting · target · quiver · shaft · fletching · anchor · pull · aim

preparation

positioning

Arranging in specific locations

fittingSuitable or proper
settingContext of events
aligningPositioning in proper relation

readying · placing · loading · securing · engagement · seating · clip · attachment · slot · insert

Opposites

archery sequence

nockingreleasing

Allowing to escape

loosing · shooting · drawing down · standing down · unstringing

Family

notch, notched, notches, notching, nock, nocks, nocked

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