Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Launch \Launch\, v. i.
   To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the
   stocks into the water; to plunge; to make a beginning; as, to
   launch into the current of a stream; to launch into an
   argument or discussion; to launch into lavish expenditures;
   -- often with out.

         Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a
         draught.                                 --Luke v. 4.

         He [Spenser] launches out into very flowery paths.
                                                  --Prior.

Launch \Launch\, n.
   1. The act of launching.

   2. The movement of a vessel from land into the water;
      especially, the sliding on ways from the stocks on which
      it is built.

   3. [Cf. Sp. lancha.] (Naut.) The boat of the largest size
      belonging to a ship of war; also, an open boat of any size
      driven by steam, naphtha, electricity, or the like.

   {Launching ways}. (Naut.) See {Way}, n. (Naut.).

Launch \Launch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Launched}; 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. [Obs.]

            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.

Source : WordNet®

launch
     n 1: a motorboat with an open deck or a half deck
     2: the act of propelling with force [syn: {launching}]

launch
     v 1: set up or found; "She set up a literacy program" [syn: {establish},
           {set up}, {found}] [ant: {abolish}]
     2: propel with force; "launch the space shuttle"; "Launch a
        ship"
     3: launch for the first time; launch on a maiden voyage;
        "launch a ship"
     4: begin with vigor; "He launched into a long diatribe"; "She
        plunged into a dangerous adventure" [syn: {plunge}]
     5: get going; give impetus to; "launch a career"; "Her actions
        set in motion a complicated judicial process" [syn: {set
        in motion}]
     6: smoothen the surface of; "float plaster"