n. & v.
n. 1 a forked stick etc. with elastic for shooting stones. 2 hist. a military machine worked by a lever and ropes for hurling large stones etc. 3 a mechanical device for launching a glider, an aircraft from the deck of a ship, etc.
v. 1 tr. a hurl from or launch with a catapult. b fling forcibly. 2 intr. leap or be hurled forcibly.
[ F catapulte or L catapulta f. Gk katapeltes (as CATA-, pallo hurl) ]