🚀 Missile operator 🏹 Throws weapons

missileman

9.9

A person who throws stones or spears at enemies in battle

noun
/ˈmɪsəlˌmæn/

Archaic

: lanzador

In ancient battles, a skilled missileman could turn the tide with well-aimed stones.

Examples

The story described a lone missileman bravely hurling spears at the advancing army.
During the siege, the missileman stood atop the wall, ready to defend his city.
The ancient missileman skillfully hurled stones at the enemy.
During the battle, each missileman played a crucial role.
In ancient battles, a skilled missileman could turn the tide with well-aimed stones.
During the siege, the missileman stood atop the wall, ready to defend his city.
The story described a lone missileman bravely hurling spears at the advancing army.

Synonyms

thrower

vsmissileman

14 2.2

A person who sends a thing through the air with a quick arm movement, for example a javelin athlete

is an archaic term for people who hurl weapons in combat

slinger

vsmissileman

6 9.3

A person who throws stones using a leather strap and small bag

is archaic and covers people who hurl weapons specifically in combat

pelter

vsmissileman

9.8

A person who throws things like stones at people or places

is an archaic term used for people who hurl weapons in battle

slingman

vsmissileman

9.9

A person who throws stones with a sling to hit distant targets

is archaic and focuses on battle hurling rather than construction use

Surface Forms

missileman singular

missilemen plural

Morphology

missileman = missile + man (semi-transparent) = missile + man

Components are clear, but this sense relies on an archaic meaning of 'missile' as a hand-thrown projectile, which learners may not know.

Etymology

Missileman once meant a person who throws missiles, objects like stones or spears, because missile means 'a thing thrown' from Latin mittere, 'to send' or 'to throw'. So an old-fashioned missileman was literally a fighter who used thrown weapons in battle.