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.
–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.
–verb (used without object)
13.
to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes.
Origin: 1510–20; < L torpēdō numbness, torpidity, electric ray, equiv. to torpē(re) to be stiff (see torpid1) + -dō n. suffix
A cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater projectile launched from a submarine, aircraft, or ship and designed to detonate on contact with or in the vicinity of a target.
Any of various submarine explosive devices, especially a submarine mine.
A small explosive placed on a railroad track that is fired by the weight of the train to sound a warning of an approaching hazard.
An explosive fired in an oil or gas well to begin or increase the flow.
A small firework consisting of gravel wrapped in tissue paper with a percussion cap that explodes when thrown against a hard surface.
[tawr-pee-doh] 
noun, plural -does, verb, -doed, -do⋅ing.