ballista

[buh-lis-tuh] /bəˈlɪs tə/
noun, plural ballistae
[buh-lis-tee] /bəˈlɪs ti/ (Show IPA)
1.
an ancient military engine for throwing stones or other missiles.
Origin
1590-1600; < Latin, probably < Greek *ballistā́s, dialectal variant of *ballistḗs, equivalent to báll(ein) to throw + -istēs -ist
Examples from the web for ballista
  • With the invention of torsion spring bundle technology, the first ballista was built.
British Dictionary definitions for ballista

ballista

/bəˈlɪstə/
noun (pl) -tae (-tiː)
1.
an ancient catapult for hurling stones, etc
2.
an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, ultimately from Greek ballein to throw
Word Origin and History for ballista
n.

ancient war engine, late 14c., from Latin ballista, literally "a throwing machine," from Greek ballein "to throw" (see ballistics).