[a. L. jaculātor, agent-n. from jaculārī to JACULATE: cf. F. jaculateur (16th c. in Godef.).]
1. One who throws or hurls; a thrower of the dart or javelin. rare.
1796. Mod. Gulliver, Pref. 4. The serpent would … have spent its venom on the breast of the … malicious jaculator.
1804. T. Taylor, Plato’s Wks., V. 136. This same mean person, like a skilful jaculator, will hurl a sentence worthy of attention.
2. A fish (Toxoles jaculator which has the power of shooting a drop of water at insects that come near it; = ARCHER 5. Also jaculator fish.
1763. Schlosser, in Phil. Trans., LIV. 89. Governor Hommel gives the following account of the Jaculator or shooting fish.
1773. Gentl. Mag., XLIII. 220.
1897. Alden’s Juvenile Gem (N. Y.), March, 79/1. The jaculator fish,… in the lakes of Java, uses its mouth as a squirtgun and is a good marksman.
