- Launching
- Launch Launch (l[add]nch or l[aum]nch), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Launched} (l[add]ncht or l[aum]ncht); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Launching}.] [OE. launchen to throw as a lance, OF.
lanchier, another form of lancier, F. lancer, fr. lance
lance. See {Lance}.] [Written also {lanch}.]
1. To throw, as a lance or dart; to hurl; to let fly.
[1913 Webster]
2. To strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Launch your hearts with lamentable wounds. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
3. To cause to move or slide from the land into the water; to set afloat; as, to launch a ship. [1913 Webster]
With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship, And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
4. To send out; to start (one) on a career; to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation; as, to launch a son in the world; to launch a business project or enterprise. [1913 Webster]
All art is used to sink episcopacy, and launch presbytery in England. --Eikon Basilike. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.