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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== Middle French or Latin; Middle French ''catapulte'', from Latin ''ca...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Leonardo-da-vinci-giant-catapult-circa-1499.jpg|right|frame]]
==Origin==
Middle French or [[Latin]]; Middle French ''catapulte'', from Latin ''catapulta'', from [[Greek]] katapaltēs, from ''kata''- + ''pallein'' to hurl
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1577]
The word 'catapult' comes from the [[Latin]] 'catapulta', which in turn comes from the [[Greek]] καταπέλτης (katapeltēs), itself from (kata), "downwards" + πάλλω (pallō), "to toss, to hurl"
==Definitions==
*1: an [[ancient]] [[military]] device for hurling missiles
*2: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
==Description==
A '''catapult''' is a device used to throw or hurl a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projectile projectile] a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_engine siege engines]. Although the catapult has been used since [[ancient]] times, it has proven to be one of the most effective [[mechanisms]] during [[warfare]]. Catapults were invented by the ancient Greeks.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greeks].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catapult]
[[Category: History]]
==Origin==
Middle French or [[Latin]]; Middle French ''catapulte'', from Latin ''catapulta'', from [[Greek]] katapaltēs, from ''kata''- + ''pallein'' to hurl
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1577]
The word 'catapult' comes from the [[Latin]] 'catapulta', which in turn comes from the [[Greek]] καταπέλτης (katapeltēs), itself from (kata), "downwards" + πάλλω (pallō), "to toss, to hurl"
==Definitions==
*1: an [[ancient]] [[military]] device for hurling missiles
*2: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
==Description==
A '''catapult''' is a device used to throw or hurl a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projectile projectile] a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_engine siege engines]. Although the catapult has been used since [[ancient]] times, it has proven to be one of the most effective [[mechanisms]] during [[warfare]]. Catapults were invented by the ancient Greeks.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greeks].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catapult]
[[Category: History]]