ballista
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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The small nocturnal arachnid has been nicknamed the ballista spider after the ancient Roman siege weapon that launched bolts and stones using stored tension.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026
"The ballista spider's snare is bioengineered to store elastic energy in the silk and rapidly release it, giving it incredible instantaneous power density -- greater than any other specialized silk-based biological catapults," said Professor Narendra.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026
Though it is yet to be formally named, scientists have nicknamed the tiny spider "ballista", after the ancient weapon used to hurl stones in battle.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
The distinctive shape—two ball-shaped curves flanking an imposing central column—is much closer to Game of Thrones’ weaponry than a torsion-driven ballista.
From Slate ● May 7, 2019
He imagined a bunch of demigods in dark robes trying to quietly roll a scorpion ballista through the front doors.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
“Scorpions,” ballistae developed by Hand of the Queen Qyburn, posed the primary threat to Drogon.
From Slate ● May 13, 2019
Although many people have identified the scorpion as a type of ballista, it lacks the torsion springs that ballistae use to thrust their projectile forward with such incredible force.
From Slate ● May 7, 2019
Piper was on watch while her friends geared up for combat - checking their weapons and armour, loading the ballistae and catapults.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
“Second, I don’t think the ballistae will do any good. That shell is like Nemean Lion skin. Its head isn’t any softer.”
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
He wasn’t going to fire any random ballistae again.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
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