1
- a device in which accumulated tension is suddenly released to hurl an object some distance, in particular弹射装置, 弹射器, 尤指：
1.1
- chiefly Brit. a forked stick with an elastic band fastened to the two prongs, typically used by children for shooting small stones〈主英〉弹弓。
1.2
- historical a military machine worked by a lever and ropes for hurling large stones or other missiles〈史〉石弩, 弩炮。
1.3
- a mechanical device for launching a glider or other aircraft, especially from the deck of a ship（尤指从船甲板发射滑翔机或其他飞机的）弹射器。
with obj. and adverbial of direction
1- hurl or launch (something) in a specified direction with or as if with a catapult用（或好像用）弹射器发射（某物）：
the plane was refuelled and catapulted back into the air again
飞机加完油再次被弹射上天
the explosion catapulted the car 30 yards along the road
爆炸把汽车沿路抛出30码远
figurative〈喻〉their music catapulted them to the top of the charts.
他们的音乐使他们跃升流行榜首。
1.1
- no obj., with adverbial of direction move suddenly or at great speed as though hurled by a catapult（仿佛被弹射般地）突然（或快速）移动：
the horse catapulted away from the fence.
马纵身跃离栅栏。
词源
late 16th cent.: from French catapulte or Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltēs, from kata- 'down' + pallein 'hurl'.