torpedo

[ tawr-pee-doh ]

/ tɔrˈpi doʊ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR torpedo ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural tor·pe·does.

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.

any of various submarine explosive devices for destroying hostile ships, as a mine.

a cartridge of gunpowder, dynamite, or the like, exploded in an oil well to facilitate the extraction of oil from the well.

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.

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.

Also called torpedo fish. an electric ray, especially Torpedo nobiliana, of the Atlantic Ocean.

an electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, inhabiting waters of tropical central Africa and the Nile valley.

Informal. a hero sandwich.

Slang. a gangster hired as a murderer.

verb (used with object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

to attack, hit, damage, or destroy with torpedoes.

to explode a torpedo in (an oil well) to facilitate the extraction of oil.

to undermine, ruin, or destroy: He torpedoed our plans.

verb (used without object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes.

Origin of torpedo

1510–20; < Latin torpēdō numbness, torpidity, electric ray, equivalent to torpē(re) to be stiff (see torpid¹) + -dō noun suffix

regional variation note for torpedo

8. See hero sandwich.

OTHER WORDS FROM torpedo

tor·pe·do·like, adjective un·tor·pe·doed, adjective

Words nearby torpedo

toroidal, toronto, toronto blessing, torontonian, torose, torpedo, torpedo boat, torpedo tube, torpedo-boat destroyer, torpedoman, torpex

Example sentences from the Web for torpedo

Will sanctions already in effect continue to torpedo the Iranian economy, or will sanctions begin to crumble?

P5+1 Talks Drill Down On The Future Of Iran’s Nukes |Michael Adler |February 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
They torpedo the Affordable Care Act, and I believe we will now have single payer in this country within the next 15 years.

Single Payer Is Getting a Second Life as Obamacare Frustration Peaks |David Freedlander |December 10, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Hamas is playing an active role in trying to torpedo the peace process.

All Terrorism, Both Jewish and Arab, Must Stop for Talks to Succeed |Aaron Magid |October 29, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Hoping that his hi-tech marketing wiles will not go for naught, Bennett will now try to torpedo the prize ceremony.

The Game Show of Israeli Politics |Don Futterman |August 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

A major flare-up in the fighting is another factor that could torpedo the talks.

The Taliban Peace Movement |Sami Yousafzai, Ron Moreau |June 19, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The modern European ideal of a torpedo boat is a craft 152 feet long, with a beam of 15¼ feet.

Last Words |Stephen Crane
He says he is having a fine time aboard the 'Paul Jones,' a torpedo boat destroyer, and he's learning a lot.

An Annapolis First Classman |Lt.Com Edward L. Beach
Torpedo defense netting is fitted, and there are three masts with military tops carrying Hotchkiss revolver machine guns.

Scientific American Supplement No. 822 |Various
And Theophrastus, in his book on Animals which live in Holes, says that the torpedo works its way underground because of the cold.

The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athenus |Athenus
Twenty-seven of the imprisoned crew crept out through the torpedo tubes.

Aircraft and Submarines |Willis J. Abbot.

British Dictionary definitions for torpedo

torpedo

/ (tɔːˈpiːdəʊ) /

noun plural -does

a cylindrical self-propelled weapon carrying explosives that is launched from aircraft, ships, or submarines and follows an underwater path to hit its target

obsolete a submarine mine

US and Canadian a firework containing gravel and a percussion cap that explodes when dashed against a hard surface

US and Canadian a detonator placed on a railway line as a danger signal

any of various electric rays of the genus Torpedo

verb -does, -doing or -doed (tr)

to hit (a ship, etc) with one or a number of torpedoes

to render ineffective; destroy or wreck to torpedo the administration's plan

Derived forms of torpedo

torpedo-like, adjective

Word Origin for torpedo

C16: from Latin: crampfish (whose electric discharges can cause numbness), from torpēre to be inactive; see torpid

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

torpedo

noun, plural tor·pe·does.

verb (used with object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

verb (used without object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

Origin of torpedo

regional variation note for torpedo

OTHER WORDS FROM torpedo

Words nearby torpedo

Example sentences from the Web for torpedo

British Dictionary definitions for torpedo

noun plural -does

verb -does, -doing or -doed (tr)

Derived forms of torpedo

Word Origin for torpedo

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

torpedo

noun, plural tor·pe·does.

verb (used with object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

verb (used without object), tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing.

Origin of torpedo

regional variation note for torpedo

OTHER WORDS FROM torpedo

Words nearby torpedo

Words related to torpedo

Example sentences from the Web for torpedo

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for torpedo

noun plural -does

verb -does, -doing or -doed (tr)

Derived forms of torpedo

Word Origin for torpedo

British Dictionary definitions for torpedo