missile

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Any object used as a weapon by being thrown or fired through the air, such as stone, arrow or bullet.

   The Rhodians, who used leaden bullets, were able to project their missiles twice as far as the Persian slingers, who used large stones.

2. 2
   noun

   A self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after it is launched.

   That missile is explosive enough to kill hundreds.

3. 3
   noun

   a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives

4. 4
   noun

   a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled

Etymology

From Latin missile (“thrown weapon, projectile”), neuter of missilis (“throwable, capable of being thrown”), from mittere (“to send”). From 1611. Compare Middle French missile (“projectile”), from 1636.