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Catapult

//ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun

1
A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
2
an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles wordnet
3
A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
4
a device that launches aircraft from a warship wordnet
5
A slingshot. UK

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6
a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones wordnet
7
An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
8
An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult. figuratively
"The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes."

Verb

1
To fire a missile from a catapult. transitive
2
hurl as if with a sling wordnet
3
To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult. transitive
4
shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult wordnet
5
To increase the status of something rapidly. transitive
"The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene."

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6
To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult. intransitive
7
To have one's status increased rapidly. intransitive
"She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek καταπέλτης (katapéltēs), from κατά (katá, “downwards, into, against”) + πάλλω (pállō, “I poise or sway a missile before it is thrown”). Doublet of catapulta.

Etymology 2

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