anchor point

English

Noun

anchor point (plural anchor points)

1. (literally) A place to which things are anchored.
2. (figuratively) Something that provides stability or a connection.
   • 1979 December 8, Jonathan H. Malone, “An Anchor Point”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 20, page 4:

     David Brill was one of my anchor points in our community. Knowing that he was out on the line searching in the best tradition of investigative reporting lent a sense of security.

3. (archery) A point on the body, such as the chin or the corner of the mouth, that an archer touches with the string hand when the bow is fully drawn, in order to maintain a consistent draw.
   • 1997, M. R. James, G. Fred Asbell, Dave Holt, Bowhunting Equipment and Skills, page 83:

     Tournament archers generally use a lower anchor point, with the string hand under the chin.

   • 2004, Steve Ruis, Claudia Stevenson, Precision Archery, page 59:

     Low groups can come from a mis-set sight, dropping your bow arm because of fatigue, a broken serving causing your nocking point to elevate, a loose aperture or scope, or half a dozen form flaws (such as a misplaced anchor point).

   • 2006, Kathleen Haywood, Catherine Lewis, Archery: Steps to Success, page 67:

     To this point you have been using an under-chin anchor point. You have been anchoring your string hand under your jaw bone.