ballistics
[buh-lis-tiks]
- the science or study of the motion of projectiles, as bullets, shells, or bombs.
- the art or science of designing projectiles for maximum flight performance.
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Origin of ballistics
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ballistics
Contemporary Examples
He admitted in court that he was not a pathologist, and that he did not have any formal training in ballistics or sound.
As he puts it in terms that could apply to ballistics, he is “plotting an arc of motions that plotted me.”
But DiMaio, with his ballistics and forensic credentials, may have been more persuasive.
To be sure, there are professorships, and ballistics experts in the Navy, but these aren't actually all that well paid.
(The cases were linked through DNA and ballistics evidence).
Historical Examples
Ballistics—the science dealing with the motion of projectiles.
Artillery Through the AgesAlbert Manucy
It was during the sixteenth century that the science of ballistics had its beginning.
Artillery Through the AgesAlbert Manucy
What experience have you had in, say, the field of ballistics?
Warren Commission (4 of 26): Hearings Vol. IV (of 15)The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Forensic, having to do with the law; ballistics, the science of projectiles.
The Arrow of FireRoy J. Snell
May I congratulate you, Mr. Morrison, on this interesting achievement in ballistics?
Average JonesSamuel Hopkins Adams
ballistics
- (functioning as singular) the study of the flight dynamics of projectiles, either through the interaction of the forces of propulsion, the aerodynamics of the projectile, atmospheric resistance, and gravity (exterior ballistics), or through these forces along with the means of propulsion, and the design of the propelling weapon and projectile (interior ballistics)
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ballistics
n.
1753, "art of throwing; science of projectiles," with -ics + Latin ballista "ancient military machine for hurling stones," from Greek ballistes, from ballein "to throw, to throw so as to hit," also in a looser sense, "to put, place, lay;" from PIE root *gwele- "to throw, reach," in extended senses "to pierce" (cf. Sanskrit apa-gurya "swinging," balbaliti "whirls, twirls;" Greek bole "a throw, beam, ray," belemnon "dart, javelin," belone "needle"). Here, too, probably belongs Greek ballizein "to dance," literally "to throw one's body," ancient Greek dancing being highly athletic.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
ballistics
[bə-lĭs′tĭks]
- The scientific study of the characteristics of projectiles, such as bullets or missiles, and the way they move in flight.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.