Launch (länch), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Launched (läncht); 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.
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.