P

Papegay:
See Popinjay.

Pass through:
When an arrow passes completely through the target face and boss.

Pavis, Pavoise, Pavas, Pavais Pavise, Pavacke, Tallevas, Talvas, Taloche:
A large shield with a prop, used to protect archers or crossbowmen during sieges and battles.

Paviser:
A person who carried and supported a pavise.

Peacock arrows:
Arrows of the 14th century fletched with peacock feathers.

Peak Weight:
The highest draw weight achieved during the draw of a compound bow.

Peep Sight:
An item that is placed on string that you look through to aid in shot consistency and to make it easier to use sights.

Pile:
The arrow point fitted to the arrow shaft at the opposite end to the nock. Piles are available in various weights to aid tuning of the arrow.

Pinching:
Squeezing the arrow nock with the draw fingers during draw, this may cause the arrow to either flip or fall off the arrow rest.

Popinjay:
A figure of a bird suspended from a pole and used as a target by archers and crossbowmen.

Porpoising:
The up and down movement of an arrow's nock in flight.