projectile
UK: /prəˈdʒɛk.taɪl/ | US: /prəˈdʒɛk.təl/
n. an object propelled through the air, especially as a weapon
adj. capable of being propelled or launched
The word "projectile" originates from Latin projectilis, derived from proicere ("to throw forward"). The morpheme pro- means "forward," ject comes from jacere ("to throw"), and -ile is a suffix indicating capability. The term evolved in the 17th century to describe objects (e.g., arrows, bullets) designed to be thrown or launched. The logical progression reflects the physical action of propulsion.
The cannon fired a projectile at high velocity.
Stone tools were among the earliest projectiles used by humans.
The missile is a guided projectile with explosive payload.
In physics, we studied the parabolic trajectory of a projectile.
The protestors hurled makeshift projectiles at the police.