Crossbow

A ranged weapon with a bow mounted across a stock, which launches a bolt when a trigger releases the bowstring. A locking mechanism holds the string under tension until firing.

Crossbow lock: A mechanism that catches and holds a drawn crossbow string until the trigger releases it. It retains the crossbow’s stored energy and releases the string when the trigger is pulled.
Ancient Chinese crossbow: A crossbow used in ancient China, often equipped with a trigger mechanism made from bronze components. Early Chinese examples show the weapon’s development into a mechanically locked design.
Crossbow hunting: The use of crossbows to hunt wild animals. Hunting relies on the crossbow’s stored draw and requires attention to projectile choice and local rules.
Longbow: A tall bow drawn by hand and used to launch arrows. The longbow stores energy only while drawn, whereas a crossbow can remain cocked before firing.
Prod (crossbow): The bow assembly of a crossbow, mounted crosswise at the front of its stock. Its elastic limbs bend during spanning and propel the bolt when released.
Repeating crossbow: A crossbow that uses a magazine and lever action to load and fire bolts in succession. Its design adapted the crossbow for rapid, repeated shots at the cost of power and range.
Target archery: A sport in which archers shoot at targets for accuracy and scoring. Crossbow disciplines apply target-archery principles to a mechanically drawn weapon.
Compound bow: A bow that uses cams and cables to reduce the force needed to hold it at full draw. Both ease aiming compared with a simple hand-drawn bow, but the crossbow uses a stock and trigger.
Crossbow spanning: The process of drawing a crossbow string back to its catch before firing. Spanning supplies the tension that the lock holds between shots.
European crossbow: A crossbow tradition in medieval and early modern Europe, encompassing diverse materials and spanning devices. European forms developed powerful bows and mechanical aids for spanning them.

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