Catapult

v. hurl; propel, launch; sling; be catapulted

n. ancient device for hurling missiles, ballista; sling

A catapult is any siege engine which uses an arm to hurl a projectile a great distance, though the term is generally understood to mean medieval siege weapons. The name is derived from the Greek κατά (against) and βαλλεῖν (to hurl (a missile)). (An alternate derivation is from the Greek "katapeltes" meaning "shield piercer," kata (pierce) and pelta (small shield)). Originally, "catapult" referred to a dart-thrower, while "ballista" referred to a stone-thrower, but the two terms swapped meaning sometime in the fourth century AD.
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Noun
1. a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones
(synonym) slingshot, sling
(hypernym) plaything, toy
(derivation) sling
2. a device that launches aircraft from a warship
(synonym) launcher
(hypernym) device
3. medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
(synonym) arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket
(hypernym) artillery, heavy weapon, gun, ordnance
Verb
1. shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult; "the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort"
(hypernym) propel, impel
(derivation) launcher
2. hurl as if with a sling
(synonym) sling
(hypernym) hurl, hurtle, cast
(derivation) slingshot, sling

(n.)
An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
  

(n.)
A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.
  

A class of siege engines designed to throw spears and heavy bolts .