ballista

[ buh-lis-tuh ]

noun

, plural bal·lis·tae [b, uh, -, lis, -tee].

1. an ancient military engine for throwing stones or other missiles.

ballista

/ bəˈlɪstə /

noun

1. an ancient catapult for hurling stones, etc
2. an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballista¹

1590–1600; < Latin, probably < Greek *ballistā́s, dialectal variant of *ballistḗs, equivalent to báll ( ein ) to throw + -istēs -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballista¹

C16: from Latin, ultimately from Greek ballein to throw

Example Sentences

Trebuchet, treb′ū-shet, n. a military engine like the ballista.

From Project Gutenberg

Like a modern field gun, the ballista shot low and directly toward the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

No ballista, however, is made without regard to the given amount of weight of the stone which the engine is intended to throw.

From Project Gutenberg

The ballista (Fig. 229) was in reality a large cross-bow, built to shoot long, heavy bolts or arrows.

From Project Gutenberg

Various names were applied to these weapons, the chief of which were the ballista and the catapult.

From Project Gutenberg

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