catapulta

Definition

A Roman catapult (weapon for launching projectiles).

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin catapulta. Doublet of catapult.

Example Sentences

• "The projectile machines, or antient artillery, used by our ancestors about the time of the Norman invasion, were the scorpion, catapulta, balista, and onager of the Romans, with divers other species of the same machines, under a variety of different appellations."
• "This pantomime over, Bentley recoiled, with the spring of a Roman catapulta, to his natural pursuits."
• "The catapulta was formerly an engine of war, used by the Romans for casting javelins and stones against castellated walls. A modern form of catapulta has been constructed, with a view to do away with the necessity of bowling the ball."