ballista
an ancient military engine for throwing stones or other missiles.
Origin of ballista
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use ballista in a sentence
In this way the blows of ballistae and the force of fires will be repelled by them.
Ten Books on Architecture | VitruviusIt is said that from the ballistae stones weighing one hundred pounds could be sent half a mile.
Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'HomondBallistae are constructed on varying principles to produce an identical result.
Ten Books on Architecture | VitruviusHaving therefore got together a hundred and fifty catapults, and twenty-five stone-throwing ballistae, he sat down before Thebes.
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. I (of 2) | PolybiusTheir ballistae threw stones, weighing a hundred weight, a distance of a quarter of a mile.
For the Temple | G. A. Henty
British Dictionary definitions for ballista
/ (bəˈlɪstə) /
an ancient catapult for hurling stones, etc
an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear
Origin of ballista
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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