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Atlatl

2 stages from Nahuatl to English.

Today it means an ancient hand-held tool used to launch spears or darts with increased leverage and speed

Where does the word "atlatl" come from? It comes from Nahuatl ahtlatl, adopted directly into English (1870s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ahtlatl
Nahuatl · pre-1500s
"spear-thrower"
named for the wooden spear-throwing device
2
Stage 2 of 2
atlatl
English · 1870s
"a hand-held device for throwing darts or spears with greater force"
adopted directly into English by archaeologists studying ancient weapons
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