missile

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
  2. noun a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled

Etymology

From Latin missile (“thrown weapon, projectile”), neuter of missilis (“throwable, capable of being thrown”), from mittere (“to send”). From 1611. Compare Middle French missile (“projectile”), from 1636.

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