noun

1. an ancient military contrivance powered by either torsion or tension used for throwing or shooting stones, spears, etc.
2. Brit. a slingshot
3. a type of launcher that provides the force to hurl an airplane, missile, etc. from a deck or ramp to provide an initial high speed
4. a device for ejecting a person from an airplane

Etymology: L catapulta < Gr katapeltēs < kata-, down, against + base of pallein, to toss, hurl

transitive verb

intransitive verb