Catapult
WordNet
noun
(1) Medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
(2) A device that launches aircraft from a warship
(3) A plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones
verb
(4) Hurl as if with a sling
(5) Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult
"The enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From < < + .
Noun
- A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
- slingshot
Verb
- To fire a missile from a catapult
- To increase the status of something rapidly
- The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.
- To be fired from a catapult
- To have one's status increased rapidly
- She has been catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.
See also
- ballista
- crossbow
- onager
- siege engine
- trebuchet, trebucket