Crossbow bolt

An unusually small crossbow bolt with a tapered "waist" shaft section and rear skirt compared to a 1 euro cent coin

A bolt or quarrel is a dart-like projectile used by crossbows.[1] The word quarrel is from the Old French quarrel (> French carreau) "square thing",[2] specialized use as quarrel d'arcbaleste (> carreau d'arbalète) "crossbow quarrel", referring to their typically square heads. Although their lengths vary, bolts are typically shorter and heavier than traditional arrows shot with longbows.[3]

  1. ^ "Quarrel". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  2. ^ T. F. Hoad, English Etymology, Oxford University Press, 1993 (ISBN 0-19-283098-8). p. 382a
  3. ^ Stone, George Cameron (1999) [1934]. A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times. Mineola NY: Dover Publications. p. 125. ISBN 0-486-40726-8.