Also 6–9 balista. Pl. ballistæ, occas. ballistas. [L., f. (ultimately) Gr. βάλλειν to throw. The spelling with ll is etymologically preferable.] An ancient military engine, resembling a bow stretched with cords and thongs, used to hurl stones and other missiles; in med.L. also loosely for: Arbalest.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., XV. ii. 224. Beating off the Barbarians with stones and speares out of Balistas and other engines.
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 673. Who batters not with the balistæ and catapultæ.
1828. Landor, Imag. Conv. (1846), 460. The sublimity which he attains who is hurled into the air from a ballista.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos, xxiv. 185. Often himself aiming a balista at the walls.
