Arrowlike

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having a shape or form that closely resembles a long, narrow projectile typically associated with speed and direction
2. Characterized by a slender and tapered appearance akin to that of an arrow moving through the air
3. Having the narrow, pointed shape characteristic of an arrowhead

Etymology: Arrow comes from Old English "arwe," and the suffix "-like" comes from Old English "-lic," meaning "having the form or quality of." Put together, "arrowlike" simply describes something that resembles an arrow in shape or behavior. The suffix is the productive part of the story. English has long attached "-like" to nouns to make adjectives, so a thing that looks like a bird is "birdlike," and a thing that moves like a flame is "flamelike." "Arrowlike" follows that pattern exactly, and its meaning stays tied to the physical shape of the weapon: a long, narrow body that tapers to a point. Because the word is transparent, it has few surprises of its own. Its value lies in how plainly it names a shape, which is why it turns up in descriptions of plants, birds in flight, and anything with a sharp, streamlined outline.

Synonyms: pointed, tapered