From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Catapult \Cat"a*pult\, n. [L. catapulta, Gr. ?, prob. from kata`
down + ? to shake, hurl.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine somewhat resembling a massive
crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for
throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
[1913 Webster]
2. A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small
stones, etc.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
catapult
n 1: a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic
between the arms; used to propel small stones [syn:
{slingshot}, {sling}, {catapult}]
2: a device that launches aircraft from a warship [syn:
{catapult}, {launcher}]
3: an engine that provided medieval artillery used during
sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other
missiles [syn: {catapult}, {arbalest}, {arbalist},
{ballista}, {bricole}, {mangonel}, {onager}, {trebuchet},
{trebucket}]
v 1: shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult; "the enemy
catapulted rocks towards the fort"
2: hurl as if with a sling [syn: {sling}, {catapult}]
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