ballista
[ buh-lis-tuh ]
/ bəˈlɪs tə /
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noun, plural bal·lis·tae [buh-lis-tee]. /bəˈlɪs ti/.
an ancient military engine for throwing stones or other missiles.
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Origin of ballista
1590–1600; <Latin, probably <Greek *ballistā́s, dialectal variant of *ballistḗs, equivalent to báll(ein) to throw + -istēs-ist
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British Dictionary definitions for ballista
ballista
/ (bəˈlɪstə) /
noun plural -tae (-tiː)
an ancient catapult for hurling stones, etc
an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear
Word Origin for ballista
C16: from Latin, ultimately from Greek ballein to throw
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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