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.
Etymology: F catapulte or L catapulta f. Gk katapeltes (as CATA-, pallo hurl)