slingshot
UK[ˈslɪŋʃɒt]US[ˈslɪŋʃɑːt]
n
a y-shaped stick with an elastic band attached to the two top parts, used for shooting small stones.
n
a maneuver in which a moving object, especially a spacecraft, gains speed by passing close to a planet.
Morpheme Breakdown
sling
shot
sling
throw
shot
act of shooting
Etymology
the word 'slingshot' is a transparent compound formed from two native english elements. 'sling' originates from old english 'slingan', meaning to wind, twist, or hurl, a verb with germanic roots describing a forceful throwing motion. 'shot' comes from old english 'gesceot', related to 'scēotan' (to shoot), and denotes the act of projecting a missile. the compound logically names the tool by its combined action: a device that 'throws' (sling) via the 'act of shooting' (shot). its modern application to a gravity-assist space maneuver is a vivid metaphorical extension, picturing a spacecraft being 'hurled' past a planet to gain velocity.
Analysis
Structure: sling (throw) + shot (act of shooting)
sling (old english, meaning to throw, cast, or hurl; functions as the base verb). shot (old english, derived from 'scot', meaning an act of shooting; functions as a noun-forming element).
Examples
the boy made a slingshot from a forked branch and a rubber band.
scientists used a gravitational slingshot effect to propel the probe toward the outer solar system.
he carefully loaded a small pebble into his slingshot.