Launch , n.
1. The act
of launching.
2. The movement of a vessel from land into the water; especially, the sliding on ways from
the stocks on which it is built.
3. [Cf. Sp.
lancha.]
(Naut.) The boat of the
largest size belonging to a ship of war; also,
an open boat of any size driven by steam, naphtha, electricity, or the like.
Launching ways. (Naut.) See
Way, n.
(Naut.).
Launch , v. i. To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to make a beginning; as, to launch into the current of a
stream; to launch into an argument or discussion; to launch into lavish expenditures; -- often with out.
Launch out into the deep, and let
down your nets for a draught.
Luke
v. 4. He
[Spenser] launches out into very flowery paths.
Prior.
Launch (länch), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Launched (läncht); 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.
2. To strike with, or as with, a lance;
to pierce. [Obs.]
Launch your hearts with lamentable wounds.
Spenser. 3. To cause to move
or slide from the land
into the water; to set
afloat; as, to launch a ship.
With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship,
And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep.
Pope. 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.
All art is used to sink
episcopacy, and launch presbytery in England.
Eikon
Basilike.
Hear it pronounced