Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- In cricket, delivered with the hand below the shoulder: said of bowling.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective (Cricket) Done (as bowling) with the arm not raised above the elbow, that is, not swung far out from the body; underhand. Cf.
over-arm andround-arm . - adjective For use under the arms, specifically in the armpit.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective with hand brought forward and up from below shoulder level
- adverb with the hand swung below shoulder level
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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He began to swear at the umpire and the crowd, especially after losing a key point in the fifth set when Chang shocked him by delivering an under-arm serve.
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Sarah Palin has as much intelligence as a sack of her under-arm hair.
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The armour that soldiers wore seems to have been designed for under-arm spear use.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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With under-arm spear-use, the spears themselves might be a way to push at the enemy.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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This makes sense if the spear is being used under-arm, since it means that the shield does not get in the way of the spear so much, but is bafflingly daft if the spear is used over-arm, because it would serve simply to further expose the wielder.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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With the under-arm grip, the spear is held close in to the body, is much easier to hold, and it is much easier to take a rest.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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There is one instance in which an over-arm use is better than an under-arm use.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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With an under-arm grip, the spearman has his spear braced along his forearm, and has much more control of the spearhead.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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Also, if the swordsman advances, then the under-arm spear user can retreat a great deal faster, to bring his spearhead between them, as he has the ability denied to the over-arm user, of pulling back his spear, and sliding his right hand up the shaft, to shorten the weapon for close use.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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In such circumstances, under-arm users would have the advantages spelled out above, and more.
The Spear « Isegoria 2008
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