ballista n. + Add to list UK //bɐlˈɪstɐ// bal·lista Archaic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms arbalestarbalistbricolecatapultmangonelonagertrebuchettrebucketOriginLATballista→ENballista Borrowed from Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra), from βάλλω (bállō, “I throw”).