vt (1)发射，投，掷(send into air or space;throw;hurl)[T+n，T+n+prep]：～a rocket/a missile 发射火箭/导弹;～a spacecraft/a space shuttle/a satellite(into space)发射宇宙飞船/航天飞机/卫星(到太空);～an arrow into the air 把箭射向空中;～a spear at sb 向某人投长矛;～threats/insults/gibes at sb (fig)威胁/侮辱/奚落某人;～ing pad 发射架;

(2)使(船)下水(put or cause a ship into the water，esp for the first time)[T+n]：The boat/ship was～ed into the river/from the shipyard. 这艘船下河了/从船坞下水了。As soon as the alarm was given，the lifeboat was～ed. 警报一响，就把救生艇放下水。The ship was～ed on the first this month. 那艘船是在本月1日举行的下水仪式。

(3)发动(起)，开始(start;start sb/sth off a course)[T+n，T+n+prep]：～a new plan to build more houses 启动建设更多住房的新计划;～a business/an enterprise 开办一商行/企业;～a fierce attack against/on the enemy 向敌人发起猛攻;～sb into business 使某人从商;～sb on a career in banking 使某人从事银行业;～a new product onto the market将一新产品推向市场;～a new product with a big advertising campaign以大规模广告活动推出一新产品;

launch into (v prep) 起劲地开始(vt)：～into a long series of excuses for... 开始大讲一长串……的理由;～into a strong rebuke 作激烈的斥责;～into politics/business 开始从政/经商;

launch out into (v adv prep)开始(一项事业)(vt)：The firm has recently～ed out into the field of fashion. 这家公司近来开始涉足时装领域。～out into a series of new experiments 着手进行一系列新的实验;

→′launcher n 发射器;′launching n 发射;船下水;开始(办);

n 发射，船下水，开始(act of launching)[尤 sing]：They gave only a few minute's warning of the missile～. 他们仅在导弹发射之前几分钟发出警报。When's the～of your new book? 你的新书什么时候首发?