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v. launched, launch·ing, launch·es v.tr. 1. a. To throw or propel with force; hurl: launch a spear. b. To set or thrust (a self-propelled craft or projectile) in motion: launch a rocket; launch a torpedo. 2. Nautical To put (a boat) into the water in readiness for use. 4. To introduce to the public or to a market: launched the new perfume with prime-time commercials on the major networks. 5. To give (someone) a start, as in a career or vocation. v.intr. 1. To begin a new venture or phase; embark: launch forth on a dangerous mission; launched out on her own after college. 2. To enter enthusiastically into something; plunge: launched into a description of the movie. n. The act of launching. [Middle English launchen, from Old North French lancher, from Latin lanceāre, to wield a lance, from lancea, lance; see LANCE.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
| n. 1. A large ship's boat. 2. A large, open motorboat. [Alteration (possibly influenced by LAUNCH1) of Early Modern English lanch, ultimately (possibly partly via Spanish lancha) from Portuguese lancha, perhaps alteration of lancara, a kind of small swift Asian oared boat, from Malay lancaran : lancar, swift + -an, nominalizing suffix.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
