What does AMENTUM mean?

Definitions for AMENTUM
amen·tum

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word AMENTUM.


Did you actually mean anethum or amaethon?

Wiktionary

  1. amentumnoun

    catkin

Wikipedia

  1. Amentum

    An amentum (Greek ἀγκύλη) was a leather strap attached to a javelin used in ancient Greek athletics, hunting, and warfare, which helped to increase the range and the stability of the javelin in flight. Stability in flight was important because it allowed the javelin to land on its point, which was the only way the throw could be accurately recorded in competition or be useful against a live target. An amentum also increased the effective length of the throwing arm, as does a spear-thrower, and so enhanced speed. It is very similar to the Swiss arrow.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Amentumnoun

    same as Ament

Wikidata

  1. Amentum

    An amentum was a leather strap attached to a javelin used in ancient Greek athletics, hunting, and warfare, which helped to increase the range and the stability of the javelin in flight. Stability in flight was important because it allowed the javelin to land on its point, which was the only way the throw could be accurately recorded in competition or useful against a live target. The amentum also increased the effective length of the throwing arm as does a spear-thrower and so enhanced speed. In the experiments made by General Reffye for the Emperor Napoleon, a javelin that could be thrown only 20 metres by hand could be thrown 80 metres with the amentum. The javelin was held at ear level and released after a short run. The amentum was looped over the first two fingers of the throwing hand so as to slip off when the throw was made. In competition throwing for distance, including the Ancient Olympic pentathlon at Olympia, Greece, a blunt javelin would be launched at about 45 degrees, but in war or the chase, a sharp weapon was thrown much closer to the horizontal. Javelins and their amenta were used both on foot and from horseback. The amentum was attached firmly, at or near the centre of gravity of the shaft. By putting the amentum behind the centre of gravity it is possible to increase the distance thrown, but at the sacrifice of accuracy. Hence the amentum was detachable, and the athlete fastened it to suit his taste shortly before use. The winding of the amentum added rotation and therefore accuracy to the projectile, similar to the effect of rifling on a bullet. The experiments conducted by H. A. Harris support the theories based on vase paintings of the proper use of an amentum.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Amentum

    a-men′tum, Ament, am′ent, n. a scaly sort of spike, as of the willow: a catkin:—pl. Amen′ta.—adjs. Amentā′ceous, Amen′tal. [L. amentum, thong.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

  1. amentum

    A leathern strap used by the Romans, Greeks, and Galicians, to throw lances. It was fastened around the second and third fingers, a knot was tied on it, which at the throwing of the lance loosened itself.

How to pronounce AMENTUM?

How to say AMENTUM in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of AMENTUM in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of AMENTUM in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6


Translations for AMENTUM

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for AMENTUM »

Translation

Find a translation for the AMENTUM definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"AMENTUM." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/AMENTUM>.

Discuss these AMENTUM definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for AMENTUM? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    AMENTUM

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    placing private property in the custody of an officer of the law
    A tithe
    B confrere
    C sousing
    D impounding

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for AMENTUM: