Word Study
ballistic
CIDE DICTIONARY
ballistic, a.
- Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling stones or missile weapons by means of an engine. [1913 Webster]
- Pertaining to ballistics{2}, or to a projectile in a gravitational field. [1913 Webster]
- frenzied; very angry; -- used mostly in the phrase
go ballistic. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ballistic, adj.
1 of or relating to projectiles.
2 moving under the force of gravity only.
1 of or relating to projectiles.
2 moving under the force of gravity only.
Idiom
ballistic missile a missile which is initially powered and guided but falls under gravity on its target.
Derivative
ballistically adv.
Etymology
BALLISTA + -IC
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