The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Missile \Mis"sile\, a. [L. missils, fr. mittere, missum, to
   cause to go, to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf.
   F. missile. Cf. Admit, Dismiss, Mass the religious
   service, Message, Mission.]
   Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be
   projected from the hand, or from any instrument or engine[2],
   so as to strike an object at a distance.
   [1913 Webster]

         We bend the bow, or wing the missile dart. --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Missile \Mis"sile\, n. [L. missile.]
   1. A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected,
      as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A rocket-propelled device designed to fly through the air
      and deliver a warhead of explosive materials to a target.
      [PJC]

   Note: Numerous types of rocket-propelled missile[2] are now
         used in modern warfare. Some types with names
         indicating their range or function are: antiaircraft
         missile; ballistic missile; cruise missile;
         antiballistic missile missile; air-to-air missile;
         air-to-ground missile; guided missile;
         intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM);
         intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM);
         surface-to-air missile.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

missile
    n 1: a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear
         explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
    2: a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets
       but is not self-propelled [syn: projectile, missile]