What does ballistic mean?

Pronunciation

/ˈbæsɪk/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A motion or trajectory that follows a curved or parabolic path, typically under the influence of gravity; a shooting or hurling, especially of a missile or projectile, with a force that drives it in a curved or parabolic path.

Etymology

The word “ballistic” comes from the Greek word “ballein”, meaning “to throw”, and has been used in English since the 17th century to describe the flight of projectiles.

Usage Notes

The term “ballistic” is often used in contexts related to physics, engineering, and military applications, such as describing the trajectory of a bullet, rocket, or other projectiles.

Cultural References

The word “ballistic” has been used in various forms of media, such as science fiction films, video games, and literature, to describe high-speed or explosive events.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• The ballistic trajectory of a shot

Related Words or Phrases

• Projectile
• Trajectory
• Parabola

Collocations

• a ballistic missile
• a ballistic trajectory

Frequency of Use

The word “ballistic” is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, but its usage is relatively niche and not as widespread as other terms.

Common Misspellings

• ballistick
• ballistix