from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. To strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce. [Obs.]
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Launch your hearts with lamentable wounds.
--Spenser.
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3. To cause to move or slide from the land into the water; to
set afloat; as, to launch a ship.
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With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship,
And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep.
--Pope.
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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.
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All art is used to sink episcopacy, and launch
presbytery in England. --Eikon
Basilike.
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