A throwing weapon consisting of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, used to entangle the legs of animals or enemies.
From Spanish 'bolas' (plural of 'bola,' meaning 'ball'), derived from Latin 'bulla' meaning 'bubble' or 'ball,' referring to the weighted spheres used in this ancient weapon.
Bolas represent a brilliant example of simple physics applied to hunting—the spinning weights create centrifugal force and wrap around prey without causing lethal injury, making them perfect for capturing live animals, and they're still used by some South American gauchos today.
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