compound bow

Bow that uses a system of cables and wheels to increase its shooting power; it requires less effort on the part of the archer when aiming.

wheel

Small pulley attached to the ends of the limbs; it absorbs part of the force from the shot and it increases the shot’s accuracy.

limb

Flexible part that stores the potential energy as the bow is stretched.

bowstring

Fibers secured to a bow that were stretched to fire an arrow.

cable guard

Part that spreads the bowstring cables apart to prevent them from touching the arrow as the latter is nocked and shot.

grip

Part between the two limbs that is gripped to manipulate the bow.

arrow rest

Part against which the arrow shaft rests as the nock in fitted into the bowstring.

mounting bracket

Metal part with a threaded opening; a screw goes into it to attach the limb to the bow’s grip.

nocking point

Mark on the bowstring where the arrow’s nock fits.

cable

Assembly of steel wires that runs around the wheels to increase the bow’s power.

bare bow

Bow made up of a piece of wood and a string that are joined without screws; it is usually very powerful but is less accurate than a compound bow.