The word "balista" refers to a type of ancient siege weapon used for launching projectiles. Some synonyms for the word include "catapult," "trebuchet," "mangonel," and "siege engine." "Catapult" refers to a similar type of weapon that uses tension to launch projectiles, while a "trebuchet" uses a counterweight mechanism. "Mangonel" is a type of siege engine specific to the medieval period. All of these words are used to describe ancient or medieval weapons that were used for sieges and battles. While these weapons are no longer used in warfare, they have an important place in history and continue to fascinate scholars and history enthusiasts.