Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MIS'SILE, a. [L. missilis, from missus, sent; mitto, to send.]

Thrown or sent, or that may he thrown. A missile weapon is one that is thrown by the hand, or from an engine in war, in distinction from such as are held or retained in the hand, or fixed. An arrow, a dart, a javelin, a stone, a bullet, a bomb, are missile weapons.