launch
UK[lɔːntʃ]US[lɔːntʃ]
v
to send a ship or boat into the water, especially for the first time
v
to send a rocket, missile, or satellite into space
v
to start or introduce something new, such as a product, project, or campaign
Etymology
the english word 'launch' entered the language in the late middle english period, borrowed from the anglo-norman french 'launcher'. this, in turn, evolved from the late latin 'lanceare', meaning 'to wield a lance' or 'to throw'. the latin verb was derived from 'lancea', the word for 'lance', a type of spear. the semantic journey from the specific action of throwing a spear to the broader modern meanings of sending a ship into water or initiating a major project is a classic example of meaning generalization, where the core concept of propelling something forward with force was retained and metaphorically extended.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is derived from the anglo-norman french word 'launcher' or 'lancher', meaning 'to hurl, throw, or cast'. its functional role is as a complete verb root.
Examples
the company will launch its new smartphone next month.
the navy plans to launch the new aircraft carrier in a grand ceremony.
they used a powerful rocket to launch the satellite into a geostationary orbit.