[tawr-pee-doh] 
noun, plural -does, verb, -doed, -do⋅ing.| 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, esp. 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. |
| 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. |
| 13. | to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes. |
torpedo
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