好词典

catapult

UK //ˈkætəpʌlt//US //ˈkætəpʌlt//

词源

源自拉丁语 'catapulta',来自希腊语 'katapeltēs',意为‘向下投掷的装置’(kata- ‘向下’ + pallein ‘投掷’)。

noun

❶ 一种古代或中世纪的投石武器,利用弹力或扭力将石块等投射物抛向远处,用于攻城或战斗。

“The soldiers used a catapult to hurl stones at the castle walls.”

(士兵们用投石机向城堡的墙壁投掷石块。)

“The ancient catapult was capable of launching projectiles over long distances.”

(古代的投石机能够将投射物发射到很远的地方。)

❶ 一种现代玩具或装置,通常由橡皮筋或弹簧驱动,用来发射小物体。

“He made a simple catapult from a stick and a rubber band.”

(他用一根木棍和一条橡皮筋做了一个简易的弹弓。)

“The kids had fun shooting small pebbles with their homemade catapults.”

(孩子们用自制的弹弓发射小石子玩得很开心。)

同义词:sling, trebuchet, launcher

verb

❶ 快速或突然地发射或推动某物,通常带有力量或速度。

“The explosion catapulted debris into the air.”

(爆炸将碎片抛向空中。)

“The sudden gust of wind catapulted the paper airplane across the room.”

(一阵突然的风把纸飞机吹到了房间的另一头。)

同义词:hurl, propel, launch

常见短语

catapult into fame — 指某人或某物突然变得非常出名或成功,通常是因某个事件或成就。

“Her viral video catapulted her into fame overnight.”

(她的病毒视频让她一夜成名。)