catapult

¹cat·a·pult

noun \ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt, -ˌpu̇lt\

Definition of CATAPULT

1

: an ancient military device for hurling missiles

2

: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)

Illustration of CATAPULT

Origin of CATAPULT

Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl

First Known Use: 1577

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with CATAPULT

cargo cult, difficult