‖ ballista
(bəˈlɪstə)
Also 6–9 balista. Pl. ballistæ, occas. ballistas.
[L., f. (ultimately) Gr. βάλλειν to throw. The spelling with ll is etymologically preferable.]
An ancient military engine, resembling a bow stretched with cords and thongs, used to hurl stones and other missiles; in med.L. also loosely for: Arbalest.
| 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus' Ann. xv. ii. 224 Beating off the Barbarians with stones and speares out of Balistas and other engines. 1765 Tucker Lt. Nat. II. 673 Who batters not with the balistæ and catapultæ. 1828 Landor Imag. Conv. (1846) 460 The sublimity which he attains who is hurled into the air from a ballista. 1852 C. M. Yonge Cameos xxiv. 185 Often himself aiming a balista at the walls. |