ballista Hear it!

ballista definition

bal·lista (bə lis′tə)

noun pl. ballistae -·tae (-tē)

a device, resembling a large mounted crossbow, used in ancient warfare to hurl heavy stones and similar missiles

Etymology: L < Gr *ballistēs < ballein, to throw: see ball

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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