CATAPULT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does catapult mean? 

• CATAPULT (noun)
  The noun CATAPULT has 3 senses:

1. a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones

2. a device that launches aircraft from a warship

3. an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

  Familiarity information: CATAPULT used as a noun is uncommon.

• CATAPULT (verb)
  The verb CATAPULT has 2 senses:

1. shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult

2. hurl as if with a sling

  Familiarity information: CATAPULT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CATAPULT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

catapult; sling; slingshot

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

plaything; toy (an artifact designed to be played with)

Derivation:

catapult (hurl as if with a sling)

catapultic (of or like a catapult)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A device that launches aircraft from a warship

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

catapult; launcher

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Derivation:

catapult (shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult)

catapultian; catapultic (of or like a catapult)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

arbalest; arbalist; ballista; bricole; catapult; mangonel; onager; trebuchet; trebucket

Hypernyms ("catapult" is a kind of...):

engine (an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.)

Derivation:

catapult (shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult)

catapultian; catapultic (of or like a catapult)

• CATAPULT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they catapult    ... he / she / it catapults   
Past simple: catapulted   
Past participle: catapulted   
-ing form: catapulting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort

Hypernyms (to "catapult" is one way to...):

impel; propel (cause to move forward with force)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

catapult (an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles)

catapult (a device that launches aircraft from a warship)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Hurl as if with a sling

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

catapult; sling

Hypernyms (to "catapult" is one way to...):

cast; hurl; hurtle (throw forcefully)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sentence example:

They catapult the object in the water

Derivation:

catapult (a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones)

 Context examples 

The throng of pirates had cleared away from the great wooden catapult, leaving two of their number to discharge it.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was only a shove, a flirt of the wrist, yet so tremendous was his strength that I was hurled backward as from a catapult.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)