noun. An ancient and medieval engine of warfare, usually having a design similar to a crossbow, used to hurl heavy projectiles.

noun. An ancient military engine used for throwing missiles.

noun. [NL.] In anatomy, the astragalus, a bone of the tarsus.

noun. An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles.

noun. An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles.

noun. an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

"From that shelter they suddenly appeared and began the attack, so that the guards were neither able to use the engine called the ballista (for these engines do not send their missiles except straight out), nor, indeed, could they ward off their assailants with their arrows, since the situation was against them on account of the large shields."

catapult  

engine  

ballistae  boats'  editi  forty-gun  full-powered  

ballistae