Library / English Dictionary

CATAPULT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

Synonyms:

arbalest; arbalist; ballista; bricole; catapult; mangonel; onager; trebuchet; trebucket

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

engine (an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.)

Derivation:

catapult (shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult)

catapultian; catapultic (of or like a catapult)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A device that launches aircraft from a warship

Synonyms:

catapult; launcher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Derivation:

catapult (shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult)

catapultian; catapultic (of or like a catapult)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones

Synonyms:

catapult; sling; slingshot

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

plaything; toy (an artifact designed to be played with)

Derivation:

catapult (hurl as if with a sling)

catapultic (of or like a catapult)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hurl as if with a sling

Synonyms:

catapult; sling

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "catapult" is one way to...):

cast; hurl; hurtle (throw forcefully)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sentence example:

They catapult the object in the water

Derivation:

catapult (a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult

Example:

the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "catapult" is one way to...):

impel; propel (cause to move forward with force)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

catapult (an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles)

catapult (a device that launches aircraft from a warship)

Credits