bəˈlistə also ba- noun
also ba·lis·ta “
( plural ballistae -ˌtē, -ˌtī ; also ballistas -_təz ; or balis·tae -ˌtē, -ˌtī ; or bali·stas -_təz)
Etymology: Latin, from (assumed) Greek ballistas or ballistēs, from ballein to throw — more at devil
: an ancient military engine often in the form of a crossbow for hurling large missiles