First attest 1775, ultimately from Greek ballein "to throw". Of rockets or missiles, from 1949. Ballistic missile first attested 1954, attained extreme heights, hence figurative expression 'go ballistic' (1981) "become irrationally angry."
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Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
The Romans created the first ballista. It looked like a very large cross bow. It throws things a long way (relatively). A ballistic missile throws itself. An anti-ballistic missile throws itself at the incoming ballistic missile.
the father of ballistics was Calvin Goddard
Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile
it is a Spanish word