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torpedo Definition

tor·pedo (tôr pē′dō)

noun pl. -·does

  1. electric ray
  2. ☆ a large, cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater projectile for launching against enemy ships from a submarine, airplane, etc.: it is detonated by contact, sound, etc.
  3. a metal case containing explosives, esp. one used as an underwater mine
  4. a small fireworks device consisting of a percussion cap and gravel wrapped in tissue paper, which explodes with a loud noise when thrown against a hard surface
  5. ☆ an explosive cartridge or a flare, placed on a railroad track and detonated by a train wheel as a signal to the crew
  6. ☆ an explosive cartridge lowered into oil wells, where it is detonated to clear the bore or break through into the oil pocket
  7. ☆ Slang a gangster or gunman hired as a bodyguard, assassin, etc.

Etymology: L, numbness, crampfish < torpere, to be stiff: see torpid

transitive verb -·doed, -·do·ing

to attack, damage, or destroy with or as with a torpedo

torpedo Synonyms

torpedo

n.

projectile, underwater missile, fish*, whale*, flying pig*; see also weapon 1. see also weapon 1.

Types of torpedoes include: aerial torpedo, submarine torpedo, jet torpedo, mechanical torpedo, radio-controlled torpedo, projectile, missile, mine,

torpedo Usage Examples

Object

  • bomber: Type: Biplane, torpedo bomber, later long distance reconnaissance.
  • tube: The six forward torpedo tubes are all in place, with the external doors open, allowing for detailed examination.
  • cruiser: On 2 May 1982 HMS Conqueror torpedoed the Argentine cruiser the General Belgrano.
  • boat: At dusk on 21st Oct she reported she was under attack by torpedo boats from all sides.
  • ship: Our boys in the torpedoed ship either burned to death or jumped over the side into a blazing sea of oil.
  • attack: A large steamer was sighted but her position did not allow for torpedo attack.

Converse of object

  • fire: At 07:04 ' Grouper ' fired three torpedoes at 3200 yards, her closest working range, none of which hit.

Subject

  • U-boat: Both were torpedoed by German U-boats off the west coast of neutral Ireland.
  • submarine: Included were a number of Norwegian seamen who had been torpedoed by a German submarine in the area.

Converse of subject

  • sink: Exeter was sunk by a torpedo from a Japanese destroyer.
  • hit: New Orleans, next astern in the US line, was hit by a torpedo which severed her bow.
  • strike: The Black Hawk made two trips across the Atlantic before being struck by a torpedo in December 1944, five miles off Portland Bill.

Adjective modifier

  • aerial: The saucers simply collide into things like an aerial torpedo.
  • German: In the first few months of the war, German torpedoes proved less than reliable.

Modifies a noun

  • tube: Ursula, having six torpedo tubes, filled the long stop, several miles west of the line.
  • bomber: On December 10 th, both ships were sunk by repeated attacks from Japanese torpedo bombers.
  • boat: Her main purpose was to launch smaller torpedo boats against enemy shipping.

Noun used with modifier

  • photon: Photon torpedoes - what have explosive coffins got to do with photons?

Preposition: by

  • U-boat: Both were torpedoed by German U-boats off the west coast of neutral Ireland.
  • submarine: Included were a number of Norwegian seamen who had been torpedoed by a German submarine in the area.