ballista

[ buh-lis-tuh ]

noun

, plural bal·lis·tae [b, uh, -, lis, -tee].

1. an ancient military engine for throwing stones or other missiles.

ballista

/ bəˈlɪstə /

noun

1. an ancient catapult for hurling stones, etc
2. an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballista¹

1590–1600; < Latin, probably < Greek *ballistā́s, dialectal variant of *ballistḗs, equivalent to báll ( ein ) to throw + -istēs -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballista¹

C16: from Latin, ultimately from Greek ballein to throw

Example Sentences

Lightning flashed, illuminating several perched threateningly over the car with the makeshift ballista they had constructed.

From Washington Post

The dwarf frolicked over to the nearest ballista, which his red-furred friend was priming to launch.

From Literature

They did not have gunpowder, but they had artillery in the form of the ballista.

From Literature

In ancient times, the 2,000-year-old stone was used as a missile fired from a Roman “ballista” weapon.

From Fox News

There were some crazy loops, like the way the ballista was enchanted, and a bunch of other stuff they played with on the storyboards.

From The Verge

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