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ballista

Syllabification: (bal·lis·ta)
Pronunciation: /bəˈlistə/
Definition of ballista

noun (plural ballistae /-tē/ or ballistas)

  • a catapult used in ancient warfare for hurling large stones.
  • a large crossbow 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 British & World English dictionary

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