guided-missile
Meaning
A missile that is directed to its target by a system within itself or by signals from an outside source.
Structure
Usage
The cruiser launched a guided-missile to neutralize the threat from over the horizon.
Modern warfare heavily relies on the accuracy of guided-missile systems.
The development of the heat-seeking guided-missile revolutionized aerial combat.
Etymology
The term is a modern military compound, formed in the mid-20th century. The first element, "guided," employs the past participle of the verb "guide," implying the projectile is under continuous external or internal direction. The second element, "missile," retains its core Latin sense of an object sent or thrown through the air. The compound's logic is transparent: it distinguishes a self-directing or remotely-directed projectile from an unguided one like a simple rocket or artillery shell, directly linking the ancient concept of a thrown object with modern precision technology.
Analysis
guide: From Old French 'guider', of Germanic origin; meaning to lead or direct. ed: A common English suffix forming adjectives from verbs or nouns, indicating a state or characteristic. missile: From Latin 'missilis' (that can be thrown), from 'mittere' (to send).