an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear
Word origin
C16: from Latin, ultimately from Greek ballein to throw
Examples of 'ballistae' in a sentence
ballistae
Ballistae are constructed on varying principles to produce an identical result.
Vitruvius, Translated by Morris Hicky Morgan Ten Books on Architecture (1914). Retrieved in 2019 from Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/)
In this way the blows of ballistae and the force of fires will be repelled by them.
Vitruvius, Translated by Morris Hicky Morgan Ten Books on Architecture (1914). Retrieved in 2019 from Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/)