Dictionary

supermissile en · NOUN

Etymology

From super- + missile.

Meanings

1. Any massive object used as a superweapon by being thrown or fired through the air.
2. An extremely powerful, self-propelled projectile whose trajectory is adjustable after it is launched.
   • An interview with Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, Chief of Naval Operations in which he describes the Navy's role in an era of H-bombs and supermissiles. 1956, Army Library (U.S.), Special Bibliographies, United States Department of the Army, Army Library, page 91:
   • For example, the details of the new Soviet SS9 supermissile, which apparently was not thought to be a proper subject to include in a formal “posture statement” were abruptly declassified and trotted out as Exhibit A in the case for Soviet aggressiveness as it was presented live for all to see and hear. 1969, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations. Subcommittee on International Organization and Disarmament Affairs, Strategic and Foreign Policy Implications of ABM Systems, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 316:
   • “It’s a bomber! It’s a supermissile! No — it’s a dove.” 1981 November 20, Herbert Lawrence Block, “‘It’s a Dove”, in coldwar.unc.edu:

Forms

Relateds

projectile · rocket