catapult
[ kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt ]
/ ˈkæt əˌpʌlt, -ˌpʊlt /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to be catapulted.
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 of catapult
1570–80; < Latin
catapulta < Greek
katapéltēs, equivalent to
kata-
cata- +
péltēs hurler, akin to
pállein to hurl
OTHER WORDS FROM catapult
cat·a·pul·tic, adjectiveWords nearby catapult
cataphyll,
cataplane,
cataplasia,
cataplasm,
cataplexy,
catapult,
cataract,
cataractogenic,
catarrh,
catarrhal fever,
catarrhal gastritis
Example sentences from the Web for catapulted
British Dictionary definitions for catapulted
catapult
/ (ˈkætəˌpʌlt) /
noun
a Y-shaped implement with a loop of elastic fastened to the ends of the two prongs, used mainly by children for shooting small stones, etc
US and Canadian name: slingshot
a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc
a device installed in warships to launch aircraft
verb
(tr)
to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult
(foll by over, into, etc)
to move precipitately
she was catapulted to stardom overnight
Word Origin for catapult
C16: from Latin
catapulta, from Greek
katapeltēs, from
kata- down +
pallein to hurl