Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling stones or missile weapons by means of an engine. [1913 Webster]
Pertaining to ballistics{2}, or to a projectile in a gravitational field. [1913 Webster]
frenzied; very angry; -- used mostly in the phrase go ballistic. [PJC]

Ballistic pendulum, an instrument consisting of a mass of wood or other material suspended as a pendulum, for measuring the force and velocity of projectiles by means of the arc through which their impact impels it.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

ballistic, adj.
1 of or relating to projectiles.
2 moving under the force of gravity only.

Idiom

ballistic missile a missile which is initially powered and guided but falls under gravity on its target.

Derivative

ballistically adv.

Etymology

BALLISTA + -IC

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