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projectile

projectile

46 6.6
An object thrown or fired through the air, often used as a weapon
  • noun
  • /prəˈdʒɛk.tɪl/
translation icon : proyectil
  • The engineers designed a new projectile that would penetrate the armor of enemy vehicles.
  • launch projectiles
  • fire a projectile
  • projectile motion

So in this example, we want to hit an apple that's hanging from a tree with a projectile.

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Examples

  • The leaves above them shredded with loud confusion as projectiles tore through the air.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • A pressure-release diaphragm then releases, allowing the gas to drive a projectile to hyper velocities.

    Academic text (1995)
  • In other words, you can explore projectile motion, the way in which things fly through the air.

  • We use them to launch projectiles, lots of things.

  • This is a sound-seeking projectile.

  • The centerpiece of this evidence is a distinctive fluted projectile point typical of big game hunters.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Big Bertha, a cannon that could hurl a projectile a hundred miles... was this day to make its first appearance on the Western Front... was this day to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy.

  • Hundreds of the estimated 60,000 projectiles fired by the Prussians exploded in and around the hospital.

    Academic text (2005)
  • On June 30, 1908, at 7:40 AM, a cosmic projectile exploded in the sky over Siberia.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The soldier aimed carefully before launching a projectile from his catapult.

Synonyms

bullet
vsprojectile
2.2

A small metal object fired from a gun

is broader, covering any thrown or fired object not only small metal ones
rocket
vsprojectile
  • Specialized
535 3.9

A vehicle with a powerful engine that carries people or cargo into space

is narrower, focusing on objects simply thrown or fired rather than vehicles
arrow
vsprojectile
196 1.0

A long thin stick with a sharp tip and feathers that you shoot from a bow

is more general, covering many launched objects beyond that long form
dart
vsprojectile
140 1.1

A small pointed object you throw at a target

is a broader term that includes both small and large thrown objects
ballistic missile
vsprojectile
  • Specialized
45 5.1

A rocket that is powered and guided at first and then follows a path without power to its target

is the general class that includes both guided and unguided thrown objects
missile
vsprojectile
44 4.4

An object people throw, for example a stone, to hit someone or something

is the general name for any object thrown or propelled as a weapon
pellet
vsprojectile
23 4.9

A small metal ball fired from a shotgun

covers that but also larger or nonfirearm thrown objects
shuttle
vsprojectile
20 3.2

A light feathered object hit over the net in badminton

is the broad term for any object thrown or propelled, not only sports items
artillery shell
vsprojectile
  • Specialized
8 7.5

A metal object fired from a large gun that often has an explosive inside

is the general term that also includes nonexplosive or smaller thrown objects
cannon ball
vsprojectile
  • Archaic
4.1

A heavy round metal ball fired from a cannon in the past

is broader, including both historical solid shots and modern variants
round shot
vsprojectile
  • Archaic
9.9

A solid metal ball used in cannons in the past

is the wider category that includes such historical solid shots

How Dangerous

missile
44 4.4
bullet
2.2
arrow
196 1.0
projectile
46 6.6
to stone
  • Offensive
9 9.9
to pebble
6.8

Surface Forms

projectile singular
projectiles plural

Morphology

projectile = project (semi-transparent) = project + ile

Form is analyzable as project + -ile, but many learners know 'project' mainly as 'plan', so the 'thrown/propelled' sense and the suffix '-ile' may not yield the meaning immediately.

Etymology

Projectile comes from Latin parts pro- 'forward' and -ject 'to throw'. So a projectile is literally something 'thrown forward', which is why we use it for stones, bullets, and other objects sent through the air.