catapult; ballista; mangonel; onager; trebuchet
Refers to various historical or fantasy siege weapons that hurl stones or other projectiles. The specific type is often clear from context or additional description.
Catapults were often used in medieval castle sieges.
In this game, you can destroy enemy walls with a catapult.
Only when written 投石器
Specifically refers to a hand-held sling or slingshot for throwing stones. This sense is restricted to the kanji form 投石器.
Ancient soldiers hurled stones with slings.
When I was a child, I made a slingshot and played with it.
General term for stone-throwing siege engines; covers catapults, ballistae, trebuchets, etc.
Also used for catapults and similar devices; specifically used for slings and slingshots (sense 2).
A compound of 投石 “stone throwing” and 機 “machine, device,” used broadly for machines or devices that launch stones or similar projectiles.