ballistic

3 definitions • 5 examples

connected with ballistics (= the study of the behaviour of objects that are shot or thrown through the air, such as a bullet from a gun):

None of the defendants could be linked to the fatal gunshot because of a lack of ballistic evidence.

They established a ballistic "fingerprinting" database to help law enforcement officials track guns throughout the state.

(of a weapon, etc.) moving and falling to earth or onto its target using the force of gravity only:

The country is thought to have ballistic, chemical, and biological weapons capabilities.

The space capsule malfunctioned and fell back to Earth in a steep ballistic path that subjected those inside to high G-forces.

to become extremely angry:

If your dad finds out you've been skipping school, he'll go ballistic.