ballista

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ballista, from Ancient Greek βαλλίστρα (ballístra), from βάλλω (bállō, “to throw”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

catapult, arbalest, arbalist, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket

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