slingshot

sling +‎ shot

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈslɪŋʃɒt/

• Audio (AU)

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• Hyphenation: sling‧shot

slingshot (plural slingshots)

1. (chiefly US) A Y-shaped stick with an elastic sling between the arms used for shooting small projectiles.

• (stick with elastic band for shooting projectiles): bean shooter, catapult (UK), flip, hand catapult, shanghai (Australia and New Zealand)

slingshot (third-person singular simple present slingshots, present participle slingshotting, simple past and past participle slingshotted)

1. To move or cause to move in a manner resembling a projectile shot from a slingshot.
2. (especially) To use the gravity of a moving planet to add momentum to a spacecraft.

• gravity assist