Word Study
ballistic missile
CIDE DICTIONARY
ballistic missile, n.
A rocket-propelled missile of long range which is guided only during the powered portion of its flight, which usually takes only a small part of the total flight time; -- contrasted with guided missile .
"Ballistic missiles are sometimes referred to by their range, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM ) or an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM )." [PJC]
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