Decrease and Catapult

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

noun

• A plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones.
  • synonyms: slingshot, sling
• A device that launches aircraft from a warship.
  • synonyms: launcher
• An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles.
  • synonyms: arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket

verb

• Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult.
  • usage: "the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort"
• Hurl as if with a sling.
  • synonyms: sling

• (n.) An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
• (n.) A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.

(DoD, NATO) A structure which provides an auxiliary source of thrust to a missile or aircraft; must combine the functions of directing and accelerating the missile during its travel on the catapult; serves the same functions for a missile as does a gun tube for a shell.