catapult
/ˈkætəpʌlt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkætəpʌlt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt -ˌpu̇lt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkæt.ə.pʌlt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkæt̬.ə.pʌlt/ (ame, ipa)
catapult — noun
- catapultsingular
- catapultsplural
1. a device that uses stored tension or a lever to shoot an object through the air
a device that uses stored tension or a lever to shoot an object through the air at high speed
At the science fair, Arun built a small catapult from wooden sticks and rubber bands.
collocation: build/make a catapult
The engineers tested a catapult that could launch water bottles over a hundred metres.
Keiko watched in amazement as the catapult flung a pumpkin high into the air.
Tariq released the lever and his catapult flung a tennis ball over the garden wall.
The film crew used a catapult to send props flying across the battle set.
2. a small Y-shaped stick with a strip of elastic fixed between its two upper ends,
a small Y-shaped stick with a strip of elastic fixed between its two upper ends, held in the hand and used mainly by children to shoot small stones or pellets
Diego found an old catapult in his grandfather's shed and shot pebbles at tin cans.
The Okafor brothers took their catapults down to the river and aimed at floating bottles.
Javier aimed his catapult at an empty tin can balanced on the fence post.
Petra's little brother got into trouble for firing his catapult at a neighbour's window.
You can make a simple catapult with a Y-shaped stick and an elastic band.
用法筆記
In American English this device is called a slingshot. The word catapult in the US usually refers only to the larger historical or mechanical devices.
常見錯誤
3. a large wooden war engine used in ancient and medieval times to hurl heavy stone
a large wooden war engine used in ancient and medieval times to hurl heavy stones, burning material, or other missiles at enemy walls and troops
The defenders surrendered after a catapult sent a huge rock through the north wall.
The museum displays a full-size replica of a Roman catapult used in sieges.
collocation: Roman/medieval/siege catapult
Amara stood beside the ancient catapult, imagining its thunderous noise in battle.
Ingrid watched the siege catapult fling a burning barrel over the replica castle wall.
Engineers studying ancient warfare rebuilt the catapult from drawings in old manuscripts.
4. a steam-powered or electromagnetic mechanism fitted to an aircraft carrier that
a steam-powered or electromagnetic mechanism fitted to an aircraft carrier that accelerates a plane from a standstill to flight speed within a few seconds
The fighter jet roared off the deck as the catapult shot it to flight speed.
The bomber could never take off on so short a deck without the catapult.
Zara felt her stomach lurch as the catapult shot her aircraft forward over the sea.
Commander Zhao braced himself as the catapult hurled his jet off the carrier deck.
A fault in the catapult system delayed all flights for the rest of the morning.
- aircraft launcher
descriptive term that avoids the historical associations of 'catapult'
- launch bar
specifically the component that attaches the aircraft to the catapult track
用法筆記
Found almost exclusively on aircraft carriers. Distinguished from the other senses by its specific military and naval context.
catapult — verb
- catapultpresent simple I / you / we / they
- catapults3rd person singular
- catapulting-ing form
- catapultedpast simple
1. to throw a person or object through the air with sudden, violent force, as thoug
to throw a person or object through the air with sudden, violent force, as though shot from a catapult
The crash catapulted Henrik through the windscreen and onto the grass verge.
The explosion catapulted debris across three city blocks in a matter of seconds.
often passive: be catapulted + across/through/into
A powerful wave catapulted the small fishing boat onto the rocky shore.
The bull jerked its head and catapulted the rider into the dust.
The earthquake catapulted furniture from one side of the room to the other.
文法句型
catapult + someone/something + preposition phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('was catapulted through/into/across'). The subject is typically a crash, explosion, collision, or other violent event rather than a person deliberately throwing something.
常見錯誤
2. to cause a person to move suddenly and unexpectedly into a much better or more p
to cause a person to move suddenly and unexpectedly into a much better or more prominent position — for example, becoming famous, successful, or powerful almost overnight
The viral video catapulted Mr. Okonkwo from a small-town teacher to a national celebrity.
Winning the gold medal catapulted Seong-min into the top ten of the world rankings.
pattern: catapult + someone + into/to + [position]
Fatima's first novel catapulted her onto the bestseller list within a month.
The scandal catapulted a minor official into the centre of a national debate.
A single hit catapulted the band from small pubs to headlining festivals.
文法句型
catapult + someone + into/to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always followed by 'into' or 'to' plus a noun phrase naming the new state or position. The subject is usually an event or achievement, not the person who rises. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (HURL FORCEFULLY): this sense is always about status or position, never about physical movement.