catapult
n. countablen. a large machine used in the past to throw heavy stones at enemies. In modern times, it also refers to a device that launches planes from ships.
n. a military engine used in ancient and medieval warfare for hurling large stones or other missiles. In a modern context, refers to a steam-powered or electromagnetic mechanism used to launch aircraft from the deck of a ship.
The ancient army used a catapult to break the castle walls.
The aircraft carrier uses a powerful steam catapult to help heavy fighter jets reach takeoff speed on a short runway.
While the medieval catapult relied on tension and torsion to propel projectiles, its modern naval counterpart utilizes high-pressure steam or electromagnetic force to accelerate aircraft to flight velocity within seconds.
From Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek καταπέλτης (katapéltēs), from κατά (katá, “downwards, into, against”) + πάλλω (pállō, “I poise or sway a missile before it is thrown”). Doublet of catapulta.