— catapultic , adj.
/kat"euh pult', -poolt'/ , n.
1. an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.
2. a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.
3. Brit. a slingshot.
v.t.
4. to hurl from a catapult.
5. to thrust or move quickly or suddenly: His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.
6. Brit.
a. to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
b. to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.
v.i.
7. to be catapulted.
8. to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult: The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed.
[ 1570-80; catapulta katapéltes, equiv. to kata- CATA- + péltes hurler, akin to pállein to hurl ]
Syn. 5. throw, fling, propel, pitch, shoot.