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5 dictionary results for: Catapult
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
cat·a·pult
[kat-uh-puhlt, -poo
lt] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[kat-uh-puhlt, -poo
lt] Pronunciation Key –noun
–verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc. |
| 2. | a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship. |
| 3. | British. a slingshot. |
| 4. | to hurl from a catapult. |
| 5. | to thrust or move quickly or suddenly: His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom. |
| 6. | British.
|
| 7. | to be catapulted. |
| 8. | to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult: The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed. |
[Origin: 1570–80; < L catapulta < Gk katapéltés, equiv. to kata- cata- + péltés hurler, akin to pállein to hurl
]
] —Related forms
cat·a·pul·tic, adjective
—Synonyms 5. throw, fling, propel, pitch, shoot.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| cat·a·pult
(kāt'ə-pŭlt', -pŏŏlt') Pronunciation Key
n.
v. cat·a·pult·ed, cat·a·pult·ing, cat·a·pults v. tr. To hurl or launch from or as if from a catapult. v. intr. To become catapulted; spring or bolt. [French catapulte, from Old French, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs : kata-, cata- + pallein, to brandish, poise a weapon before hurling; see pāl- in Indo-European roots.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
catapult
catapult
1577, from L. catapulta "war machine for throwing," from Gk. katapeltes, from kata "against" + base of pallein "to toss, hurl." The verb is first recorded 1848.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| catapult | |
noun | |
| 1. | a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones [syn: slingshot] |
| 2. | a device that launches aircraft from a warship |
| 3. | an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles |
verb | |
| 1. | shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult; "the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort" |
| 2. | hurl as if with a sling [syn: sling] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Catapult
Cat"a*pult\, n. [L. catapulta, Gr. ?, prob. from kata` down + ? to shake, hurl.]1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc. 2. A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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