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catapult
[ kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt ]
/ ˈkæt əˌpʌlt, -ˌpʊlt /
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noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to be catapulted.
to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult: The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed.
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Origin of catapult
1570–80; <Latin catapulta<Greek katapéltēs, equivalent to kata-cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl
OTHER WORDS FROM catapult
cat·a·pul·tic, adjectiveWords nearby catapult
cataphyll, cataplane, cataplasia, cataplasm, cataplexy, catapult, cataract, cataractogenic, catarrh, catarrhal fever, catarrhal gastritis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use catapult in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for catapult
catapult
/ (ˈkætəˌpʌlt) /
noun
a Y-shaped implement with a loop of elastic fastened to the ends of the two prongs, used mainly by children for shooting small stones, etcUS and Canadian name: slingshot
a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc
a device installed in warships to launch aircraft
verb
(tr) to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult
(foll by over, into, etc) to move precipitatelyshe was catapulted to stardom overnight
Word Origin for catapult
C16: from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltēs, from kata- down + pallein to hurl
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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