launch
verb
- set off, introduce, bring up, start, take off
noun
- event of launching a vehicle
- type of motorboat
- publicity event
- boat ramp
- act of setting off, introduction, bring up, a beginning, taking off
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /lɔːnt͡ʃ/ / /loːnt͡ʃ/ / /lɔnt͡ʃ/
noun
Etymology: From Portuguese lancha (“barge, launch”), apparently from Malay lancar (“quick, agile”). Spelling influenced by the verb above.
- The boat of the largest size and/or of most importance belonging to a ship of war, and often called the "captain's boat" or "captain's launch".
- A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.
- An open boat of any size powered by steam, petrol, electricity, etc.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English launchen (“to throw as a lance”), Old French lanchier, another form (Old Northern French/Norman variant, compare Jèrriais lanchi) of lancier, French lancer, from lance.
- To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
“There they were met by four thousand Ha'apa'a warriors, who launched a volley of stones and spears[…]”
- To pierce with, or as with, a lance.
“And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds.”
- To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat.
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
“1725–1726, Alexander Pope, Homer's Odyssey (translation), Book V With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship, / And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep.”
- To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward from the ground.
“A cheap rocket that could launch military reconnaisance satellites for developing countries has become involved in a tangled web of Nazi rocket scientists, Penthouse magazine, KGB disinformation, and a treaty reminiscent of the height of colonialism in Africa.”
“NASA launched several unmanned rockets before launching any of the Mercury astronauts.”
- To send out; to start (someone) on a mission or project; to give a start to (something); to put in operation
“Our business launched a new project.”
“All art is uſed to ſink Epiſcopacy, & lanch Presbytery in England.”
- To start (a program or feature); to execute or bring into operation.
“Double-click an icon to launch the associated application.”
“If the game does not automatically launch, select Disney Cory in the House from the DS launch screen.”
- To release; to put onto the market for sale
“On September 3rd Bionym, a Canadian firm, launched Nymi, a bracelet which detects the wearer’s heartbeat.”
- Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.: to depart on a voyage; to take off.
- To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to begin.
“In our language, Spenſer has not contented himſelf with this ſubmiſſive manner of imitation : he launches out into very flowery paths[…]”
“My class was wearing butter-yellow pique dresses, and Momma launched out on mine. She smocked the yoke into tiny crisscrossing puckers, then shirred the rest of the bodice.”
- To start to operate.
“After clicking the icon, the application will launch.”