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Catapult - 4 dictionary results

cat⋅a⋅pult

[kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt]
–noun
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.
–verb (used with object)
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.
a. to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
b. to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.
–verb (used without object)
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 katapéltēs, equiv. to kata- cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl


cat⋅a⋅pul⋅tic, adjective


5. throw, fling, propel, pitch, shoot.
cat·a·pult   (kāt'ə-pŭlt', -pŏŏlt')   
n.  
  1. A military machine for hurling missiles, such as large stones or spears, used in ancient and medieval times.
  2. A mechanism for launching aircraft at a speed sufficient for flight, as from the deck of a carrier.
  3. A slingshot.
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.]

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.
Language Translation for : Catapult
Spanish: tirachinas,
German: die Schleuder,
Japanese: ぱちんこ

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.
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