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Launcher vs Catapult - What's the difference?

launcher | catapult |

As nouns the difference between launcher and catapult

is that launcher is one who or that which launches a device that throws something or the person who initiates a launch while catapult is a device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.

As a verb catapult is

to fire a missile from a catapult.

launcher

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who or that which launches. A device that throws something or the person who initiates a launch.
  • The catapult made a good launcher for the small projectile.
    They shot down the helicopter with a rocket launcher .
  • (computing) An application that launches another or others, often holding icons or menus for frequently used programs.
  • Derived terms

    * grenade launcher * rocket launcher

    Anagrams

    *

    catapult

    Noun

  • A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
  • (UK) slingshot
  • An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
  • (figuratively) An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=13 March , author=Chris Bevan , title=Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes. }}

    Verb

  • To fire a missile from a catapult.
  • To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
  • To increase the status of something rapidly.
  • The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 12 , author= , title=International friendly: England 1-0 Spain , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.}}
  • To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
  • To have one's status increased rapidly.
  • She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.

    See also

    * ballista * crossbow * onager * siege engine * trebuchet, trebucket