ballistic
pronunciation
How to pronounce ballistic in British English:
UK [bəˈlɪstɪk]
How to pronounce ballistic in American English:
US [bəˈlɪstɪk]
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- Adjective:
- relating to or characteristic of the motion of objects moving under their own momentum and the force of gravity
Word Origin
- ballistic
- ballistic: see parable
- ballistic (adj.)
- 1775, "pertaining to thrown objects," ultimately from Greek ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). Of rockets or missiles (ones that are guided while under propulsion, but fall freely), from 1949. Ballistic missile first attested 1954; they attain extreme heights, hence figurative expression go ballistic (1981) "become irrationally angry."
Example
- 1. North korea has threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile .
- 2. Land-based ballistic missiles are inherently risky .
- 3. This includes deployment of several ballistic missiles .
- 4. India has been testing its ballistic missile defense system since 2006 .
- 5. It is also more advanced than tehran in developing ballistic missiles .