Editing Arrow (section)

{{Short description|Shafted projectile that is shot with a bow}}
{{About|the projectile}}
[[Image:Two arrows.jpg|300px|thumb|Traditional target arrow (top) and replica medieval arrow (bottom)]]
[[Image:DFRArrow.jpg|thumb|Modern arrow with plastic [[fletching]]s and nock]]

An '''arrow''' is a [[fin]]-stabilized [[projectile]] launched by a [[Bow and arrow|bow]]. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) [[arrowhead]] attached to the front end, multiple fin-like [[Stabilizer (aeronautics)|stabilizer]]s called [[fletching]]s mounted near the rear, and a slot at the rear end called a [[Nock (arrow)|nock]] for engaging the [[bowstring]]. A container or bag carrying additional arrows for convenient reloading is called a [[quiver]].<ref>The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.495-Tactics And Techniques, Survival. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. {{isbn|1-85487-675-9}}.</ref>

The use of bows and arrows by humans predates [[recorded history]] and is common to most [[culture]]s. A craftsman who makes arrows is a [[Fletcher (occupation)|fletcher]], and one who makes arrowheads is an arrowsmith.<ref name=Paterson56>Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 56</ref>