From Latin 'mittere' (to send, throw) — same root as 'mission,' 'message,' 'emission,' and 'dismiss.'
An object that is forcibly propelled at a target, especially a self-propelled weapon directed by remote control or automatic guidance.
From Latin 'missile' (neuter noun), from 'missilis' (that can be thrown, suitable for hurling), from 'missus,' the past participle of 'mittere' (to send, to let go, to release, to throw). The PIE root underlying 'mittere' is uncertain but may connect to *meyth₂- (to exchange, to change, to go). Latin 'mittere' is one of the most productive verbs in Latin: its participle stem 'miss-' generates 'mission,' 'missionary,' 'emit,' 'admit,' 'commit,' 'dismiss,' 'omit,' 'permit,' 'submit,' 'transmit,' 'promise' (pro- + mittere), and '