catapult
[ kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt ]
/ ˈkæt əˌpʌlt, -ˌpʊlt /
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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Nearby words
cataplane, cataplasia, cataplasm, cataplectic, cataplexy, catapulted, cataract, cataractogenic, catarrh, catarrhal fever, catarrhal gastritis
Origin of catapult
1570–80; < Latin catapulta < Greek katapéltēs, equivalent to kata- cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl
Related formscat·a·pul·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for catapulted
British Dictionary definitions for catapulted
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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