Definition: projectile

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

projectile
     adj : impelling or impelled forward; "a projectile force"; "a
           projectile missile"
     n : a weapon that is thrown or projected [syn: missile]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Projectile \Pro*ject"ile\, a. [Cf. F. projectile.]
   1. Projecting or impelling forward; as, a projectile force.

   2. Caused or imparted by impulse or projection; impelled
      forward; as, projectile motion. --Arbuthnot.
Projectile \Pro*ject"ile\, n. [Cf. F. projectile.]
   1. A body projected, or impelled forward, by force;
      especially, a missile adapted to be shot from a firearm.

   2. pl. (Mech.) A part of mechanics which treats of the
      motion, range, time of flight, etc., of bodies thrown or
      driven through the air by an impelling force.

Source: THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) 

PROJECTILE, n.  The final arbiter in international disputes.  Formerly
these disputes were settled by physical contact of the disputants,
with such simple arguments as the rudimentary logic of the times could
supply -- the sword, the spear, and so forth.  With the growth of
prudence in military affairs the projectile came more and more into
favor, and is now held in high esteem by the most courageous.  Its
capital defect is that it requires personal attendance at the point of
propulsion.