TORPEDO

torpedo

(noun) armament consisting of a long cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile that detonates on contact with a target

torpedo

(noun) a small explosive device that is placed on a railroad track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead

torpedo

(noun) a small firework that consists of a percussion cap and some gravel wrapped in paper; explodes when thrown forcefully against a hard surface

torpedo

(noun) an explosive device that is set off in an oil well (or a gas well) to start or to increase the flow of oil (or gas)

bomber, grinder, hero, hero sandwich, hoagie, hoagy, Cuban sandwich, Italian sandwich, poor boy, sub, submarine, submarine sandwich, torpedo, wedge, zep

(noun) a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States

gunman, gunslinger, hired gun, gun, gun for hire, triggerman, hit man, hitman, torpedo, shooter

(noun) a professional killer who uses a gun

torpedo

(verb) attack or hit with torpedoes

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

torpedo (plural torpedoes or torpedos)

An electric ray of the genus Torpedo.

(military) A cylindrical explosive projectile that can travel underwater and is used as a weapon.

(regional) A submarine sandwich.

(archaic, military) A naval mine.

(obsolete, military) An explosive device buried underground and set off remotely, to destroy fortifications, troops, or cavalry; a land torpedo.

(slang) A professional gunman or assassin.

(rail transport, US) A small explosive device attached to the top of the rail to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it.

A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.

An automobile with a torpedo body.

(slang, chiefly, US, usually, in the plural) a woman's shoe with a pointed toe [1910s]

(slang, chiefly, US, usually, in the plural) a large breast; breast with a large nipple [from 1960s]

(slang) a marijuana cigarette

a thick marijuana cigarette [1940s]

a cigarette containing marijuana and crack cocaine [from 1980s]

Synonyms

• (sandwich): see sub

• (rail transport): detonator (UK)

• (an explosive underwater projectile): torp (abbreviation)

Verb

torpedo (third-person singular simple present torpedoes, present participle torpedoing, simple past and past participle torpedoed)

To send a torpedo, usually from a submarine, that explodes below the waterline of the target ship.

To sink a ship with one of more torpedoes.

To undermine or destroy any endeavor with a stealthy, powerful attack.

Anagrams

• optrode, pet door, toe drop, trooped

Source: Wiktionary

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Tor*pe"do, n.; pl. Torpedoes. Etym: [L. torpedo, -inis, from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See Torpid.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes belonging to Torpedo and allied genera. They are related to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical shocks. Called also crampfish, and numbfish. See Electrical fish, under Electrical.

Note: The common European torpedo (T. vulgaris) and the American species (T. occidentalis) are the best known.

2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up. Specifically: -- (a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so arranged that they will be exploded when touched by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore. (b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive charge, and projected from a ship against another ship at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise automatic in its action against a distant ship.

3. (Mil.)

Definition: A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it.

4. (Railroad)

Definition: A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.

5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of obstructions or to open communication with a source of supply of oil.

6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object. Fish torpedo, a spindle- shaped, or fish-shaped, self-propelling submarine torpedo.

– Spar torpedo, a canister or other vessel containing an explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo.

– Torpedo boat, a vessel adapted for carrying, launching, operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against an enemy's ship.

– Torpedo nettings, nettings made of chains or bars, which can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against torpedoes.

Tor*pe"do, v. t.

Definition: to destroy by, or subject to the action of, a torpedo. London Spectator.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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