launcher
(ˈlɔːnʃə(r), formerly ˈlɑːnʃə(r))
[f. launch v. + -er1.]
1. One who launches, in senses of the vb.
| 1824 P. Hawker Instr. Yng. Sportsmen (ed. 3) 329 A family..who are by far the best launchers in Hampshire. 1827 ― Diary (1893) I. 302 The vagabond mud launchers. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 19 Aug. 6/3 To make the launchers of schemes responsible for their promises. 1899 Daily News 4 May 7/3 All hands turned out at once to launch the lifeboat,..four of the most useful launchers..being women. |
2. A device or structure that launches something or is used for launching; spec. (a) a structure that holds a rocket or missile during launching; (b) a rocket from which a satellite is released into orbit.
| 1911 T. O'B. Hubbard et al. Aeroplane v. 61 There have been many..mechanical launchers invented, but none have met with any success..except the rail-and-falling-weight method originally used by the Wright biplanes. 1944 C. P. Lent Rocket Research 4 The photograph lower left is a German rocket launcher. 1945 Aeroplane Spotter 18 Oct. 250/2 Zero-type rocket-projectile launchers eliminated the drag of the earlier tube type to such an extent that the Lockheed P-38J and P-38L Lightning is able to carry seven under each wing. 1957 Oxford Mail 20 Aug. 1/4, I saw the 25 ft. long Bloodhound on its launcher, together with its special loading trolley, exactly as it would be on one of the coastal sites. 1958 Times 12 Aug. 7/3 Now that Britain can provide the launcher, she should certainly explore the field for partners in the actual launching of a satellite. 1959, 1969 [see grenade launcher s.v. grenade n.1 3]. 1970 Daily Tel. 28 Apr. 1/4 America was first to use a single launcher to put eight satellites into orbit, in June, 1966. 1971 Nature 2 Apr. 282/2 An extensive study of the propagation of Earth surface waves, including the design of launchers for such waves, is described. 1973 Sci. Amer. Aug. 105/2, I devised an apparatus for launching a continuous stream of water globules indoors... The launcher consists of a small nozzle that directs a jet of water upward at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. 1974 Daily Tel. 14 Feb. 4/8 The ship has been fitted with four missile launchers. |