archer's paradox

proper noun

The phenomenon of an arrow travelling in the direction where it points when the bow is fully drawn, when it seems that the arrow would have to pass through its original position. The explanation relates to the bending of the arrow when released.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The phenomenon of an arrow travelling in the direction where it points when the bow is fully drawn, when it seems that the arrow would have to pass through its original position. The explanation relates to the bending of the arrow when released.

Origin

First used by E. J. Rendtroff in 1913.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

archer's paradox. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/archer's%20paradox

MLA

“archer's paradox.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/archer's%20paradox. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “archer's paradox,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/archer's%20paradox.

Source: archer's paradox on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.