denoting or relating to the flight of projectiles after power has been cut off, moving under their own momentum and the external forces of gravity and air resistance
3.
(of a measurement or measuring instrument) depending on a brief impulse or current that causes a movement related to the quantity to be measured: a ballistic pendulum
4.
informalgo ballistic to become enraged or frenziedly violent
5.
(of materials) strong enough to resist damage by projectile weapons: ballistic nylon
1775, ult. from Gk. ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). Of rockets or missiles, from 1949. Ballistic missile first attested 1954, attained extreme heights, hence figurative expression go ballistic (1981) "become irrationally angry."