Hypertext Webster Gateway: "launching"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Launch \Launch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Launched}; 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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

launching
n 1: the act of moving a newly-built vessel into the water for
the first time
2: the act of beginning something new; "they looked forward to
the debut of their new product line" [syn: {introduction},
{debut}, {first appearance}, {unveiling}, {entry}]
3: the act of propelling with force [syn: {launch}]

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