exaggerating. A
longbow is a large bow drawn by
hand, as that used by
English archers from the 12th to the 16th centuries. It is said that a good archer could
hit between the fingers of a
man's
hand at a considerable distance, and could propel his arrow a mile. The tales told about
longbow exploits fully
justify the application o f the
phrase.
—HSSC Glossary (approved 3-9-90)