catapult
verbEtymology From Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek καταπέλτης (katapéltēs), from κατά (katá, “downwards, into, against”) + πάλλω (pállō, “to poise or sway a missile before it is thrown”). Doublet of catapulta.
1
To fire a missile from a catapult.
2
To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
3
To increase the status of something rapidly.
- The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.
- I was catapulted without preparation into the most difficult job any mortal man can hold. My duties would not wait a week, or a day, or even an hour.1971, Lyndon Johnson, “The Beginning”, in The Vantage Point, Holt, Reinhart & Winston, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 12:
1 more example
- England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport:
4
To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
5
To have one's status increased rapidly.
- She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.
- Related terms
- ballista, crossbow, onager, siege engine, trebuchet, trebucket