[*]curved piece of resilient wood with taut cord to propel arrows

A weapon consisting of a curved, flexible strip of material, especially wood, strung taut from end to end and used to launch arrows.

A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an arrow is propelled.

There's a few definitions of the word "bow". A crossbow impliments a bow, but it isn't just a bow--it's a bow plus.

Along the same lines you could put a semi-automatic or automatic rifle in the same category as a single-shot. They all have the same basic parts, the semi-auto and auto are just single shot rifles plus. You could even make the stretch to include a single shot, semi-auto, and auto in the same category as a muzzleloader if you want to call a crossbow a bow. All the rifles have a stock, forearm and barrel, all fire a bullet and use powder being ignited to propell the bullet--now try explaining to the game warden why you feel it's just fine to use a semi-auto .270 during muzzleloader season--after all, they are the same weapon, right?

Again, I have no problem with the weapon itself, or with people who enjoy them. I simply don't see them as being just another type of archery equipment anymore than I see a semi-auto rifle as being just another type of muzzleloader.

Chad