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pro·jec·tile

(prə-jĕktəl, -tīl′)

1. A fired, thrown, or otherwise propelled object, such as a bullet, having no capacity for self-propulsion.

2. A self-propelled missile, such as a rocket.

adj.

1. Capable of being impelled or hurled forward.

2. Driving forward; impelling: a projectile force.

3. Zoology Capable of being thrust outward; protrusile.

[New Latin proiectile, neuter of prōiectilis, that can be thrown, from Latin prōiectus, past participle of prōicere, to throw out; see PROJECT.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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