torpedo
Use Torpedo in a sentence
doʊ noun
1.
a self-propelled, cigar-shaped missile containing explosives and often equipped with a homing device, launched from a submarine or other warship, for destroying surface vessels or other submarines.
2.
any of various submarine explosive devices for destroying hostile ships, as a mine.
3.
a cartridge of gunpowder, dynamite, or the like, exploded in an oil well to facilitate the extraction of oil from the well.
4.
a detonating device fastened to the top of a rail so as to be exploded by the pressure of a locomotive or car, thus giving an audible signal to members of a train crew.
5.
any of various other explosive devices, as a firework that consists of an explosive wrapped up with gravel in a piece of tissue paper and that detonates when thrown forcibly on the ground or against a hard surface.
6.
Also called torpedo fish. an electric ray, especially Torpedo nobiliana, of the Atlantic Ocean.
7.
an electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, inhabiting waters of tropical central Africa and the Nile valley.
8.
Informal. a hero sandwich.
9.
Slang. a gangster hired as a murderer.
verb (used with object)
10.
to attack, hit, damage, or destroy with torpedoes.
11.
to explode a torpedo in (an oil well) to facilitate the extraction of oil.
12.
to undermine, ruin, or destroy: He torpedoed our plans.
00:10
Torpedo
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
verb (used without object)
13.
to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes.
Origin:
1510–20; < Latin torpēdō numbness, torpidity, electric ray, equivalent to torpē(re) to be stiff (see torpid1) + -dō noun suffix
1510–20; < Latin torpēdō numbness, torpidity, electric ray, equivalent to torpē(re) to be stiff (see torpid1) + -dō noun suffix
Related forms
tor·pe·do·like, adjective
un·tor·pe·doed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To torpedo
Collins
World English Dictionary
torpedo (tɔːˈpiːdəʊ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -does | |
| 1. | a cylindrical self-propelled weapon carrying explosives that is launched from aircraft, ships, or submarines and follows an underwater path to hit its target |
| 2. | obsolete a submarine mine |
| 3. | (US), (Canadian) a firework containing gravel and a percussion cap that explodes when dashed against a hard surface |
| 4. | (US), (Canadian) a detonator placed on a railway line as a danger signal |
| 5. | any of various electric rays of the genus Torpedo |
| —vb , -does, -does, -doing, -doed | |
| 6. | to hit (a ship, etc) with one or a number of torpedoes |
| 7. | to render ineffective; destroy or wreck: to torpedo the administration's plan |
| [C16: from Latin: crampfish (whose electric discharges can cause numbness), from torpēre to be inactive; see | |
| tor'pedo-like | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
torpedo
c.1520, "electric ray," from L. torpedo, originally "numbness" (from the effect of being jolted by the ray's electric discharges), from torpere "be numb" (see torpor). The sense of "explosive device used to blow up enemy ships" is first recorded 1776, as a floating mine;
the self-propelled version is from 1860s. The verb is first recorded 1873; the fig. sense is attested from 1895.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
torpedo definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
As a counter against torpedo boats, navies built a slightly larger ship, armed with torpedoes and heavier guns.
They can tap either bottom corner to fire a torpedo, and tilt their device to aim.
They torpedo their prey from below, and often lift their heads above water to check out their surroundings.
He was too pleased with himself to notice the shimmering torpedo emerge from the depths.
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