A Quick and Simple Dictionary

catapult

1. Noun.  A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
2. Noun.  (UK) slingshot.
3. Noun.  An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
4. Noun.  (figuratively) An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.
5. Verb.  (transitive) To fire a missile from a catapult.
6. Verb.  (transitive) To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
7. Verb.  (transitive) To increase the status of something rapidly.
8. Verb.  (intransitive) To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
9. Verb.  (intransitive) To have one's status increased rapidly.