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Definition of projectile - 2 dictionary results

pro⋅jec⋅tile

  [pruh-jek-til, -tahyl]
Use projectile in a Sentence
–noun
1. an object fired from a gun with an explosive propelling charge, such as a bullet, shell, rocket, or grenade.
2. a body projected or impelled forward, as through the air.
–adjective
3. impelling or driving forward, as a force.
4. caused by impulse, as motion.
5. capable of being impelled forward, as a missile.
6. Zoology. protrusile, as the jaws of a fish.
Origin:
1655–65; < NL, neut. of prōjectilis (adj.) projecting. See project, -ile
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To projectile
pro·jec·tile   (prə-jěk'təl, -tīl')   
n.  

  1. A fired, thrown, or otherwise propelled object, such as a bullet, having no capacity for self-propulsion.

  2. A self-propelled missile, such as a rocket.

adj.  

  1. Capable of being impelled or hurled forward.

  2. Driving forward; impelling: a projectile force.

  3. Zoology Capable of being thrust outward; protrusile.


[New Latin proiectile, neuter of prōiectilis, that can be thrown, from Latin prōiectus, past participle of prōicere, to throw out; see project.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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