Projectile
/prəˈdʒɛk.taɪl/noun
An object designed to be fired or thrown.
Did you know?In ancient warfare, projectiles were often imbued with magical properties, believed to bring down not just enemies, but their very spirits too!
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pro-
“forward, in favor of”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*jek-
“to throw”
Latin
Latin
projectilis
“something thrown forward”
Late Latin
Late Latin
projectus
“to throw away, cast forth”
Middle French
Middle French
projectile
“a body thrown or propelled”
Modern English
English
projectile
“an object designed for motion through the air, typically with a purpose of impact”