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ballista

Pronunciation: /bəˈlɪstə/
Definition of ballista

noun (plural ballistae /-stiː/ or ballistas)

  • a catapult used in ancient warfare for hurling large stones.
  • a large crossbow used in ancient warfare for firing a spear.

Origin:

early 16th century: from Latin, based on Greek ballein 'to throw'

ballista in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ballista in the US English dictionary

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