catapult
Ancient projectile thrower
A catapult is a device for hurling objects with great force.
Ancient catapults were siege weapons that launched stones or projectiles at fortifications.
Modern catapults launch aircraft from ship decks.
The verb means to hurl or be hurled suddenly forward: The collision catapulted him through the windshield.
Figuratively, something can catapult a person to fame or success: The viral video catapulted her to stardom.
Throw with great force
- flingForceful toss, or tryst
- propelForce into motion
- ejectThrow out forcibly
- lobHigh-arcing throw or hit
heave · throw · release · fire · shoot · sling · cast · toss
Counterweight-powered projectile launcher
- ballistaAncient projectile siege engine
- mangonelTorsion-powered medieval catapult
- onagerAsiatic wild ass
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
torsion · lever · tension · slingshot · scorpion · counterpoise · fulcrum · arm
Path of moving object
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- forceStrength or compulsion
- arcCurved line segment
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
acceleration · kinetics · energy · motion · thrust · torque · gravity · ballistics
Large weathered stone
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
- payloadCarried freight or charge
shot · fireball · incendiary · debris · load · ordnance · rock · flaming
Heavily defended military structure
- castleFortified medieval residence
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
- assaultViolent offensive act
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
breach · fortifications · ramparts · walls · blockade · conquest · besiege · towers
Flexible platform for jumping
- launching padRocket departure platform
- boostUpward push or increase
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- propelForce into motion
rocket · skyrocket · meteoric · breakthrough · advancement · stardom · fame · success
hurl
Throw with great force
lob · heave · throw · release · fire · shoot · sling · cast · toss · vault
trebuchet
Counterweight-powered projectile launcher
- ballistaAncient projectile siege engine
- mangonelTorsion-powered medieval catapult
- onagerAsiatic wild ass
counterweight · torsion · lever · tension · slingshot · scorpion · counterpoise · fulcrum · arm · sling
trajectory
Path of moving object
momentum · acceleration · kinetics · energy · motion · thrust · torque · gravity · ballistics · aerodynamics
boulder
Large weathered stone
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
payload · shot · fireball · incendiary · debris · load · ordnance · rock · flaming · pitch
fortress
Heavily defended military structure
- castleFortified medieval residence
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
- assaultViolent offensive act
bombardment · breach · fortifications · ramparts · walls · blockade · conquest · besiege · towers · warfare
springboard
Flexible platform for jumping
- launching padRocket departure platform
- boostUpward push or increase
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
propel · rocket · skyrocket · meteoric · breakthrough · advancement · stardom · fame · success · opportunity
- ancient weaponssword, swords, shield, shields, bow
- Greek inventionsArchimedes screw, astrolabe, automata, ballista, Greek fire
- Heavy Weaponscannon, howitzer, artillery piece, tank gun, field gun
- Roman ConquestJulius Caesar, Augustus, legions, Gaul, Britain
- Roman warfarelegion, cohort, centurion, Caesar, testudo
- siege weaponstrebuchet, ballista, mangonel, onager, battering ram
catapultrampart
Fortified defensive wall
shield · fortification · battlement · bulwark · armor
- catapult launchForceful mechanical projection