Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Missile
Mis′sile
,Adj.
[L.
missils
, fr. mittere
, missum
, to cause to go, to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti
to throw: cf. F. missile
. Cf. Admit
, Dismiss
, Mass
the religious service, Message
, Mission
.] Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be projected from the hand, or from any instrument or engine{2}, so as to strike an object at a distance.
We bend the bow, or wing the
missile
dart. Pope.
Mis′sile
,Noun.
[L.
missile
.] 1.
A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected, as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
Webster 1828 Edition
Missile
MIS'SILE
,Adj.
Thrown or sent, or that may be thrown. A missile weapon is one that is thrown by the hand, or from an engine in war, in distinction from such as are held or retained in the hand, or fixed. An arrow, a dart, a javelin, a stone, a bullet, a bomb, are missile weapons.