Hypernym

noun

an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.

siege engine 1

noundomain: artefact

EnWordnet [ver.5.0]

English

Definition

a device that is designed to break or circumvent city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare.

Examples

1.With the development of gunpowder and improved metallurgical techniques, siege engines became artillery.

Hyponym

noun

an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

noun

a specialized siege engine with wheels, constructed to protect assailants and ladders while approaching the defensive walls of a fortification.