torpedo

tor·pe·do

noun

pl. -·does

electric ray
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.
a metal case containing explosives, esp. one used as an underwater mine
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
an explosive cartridge or a flare, placed on a railroad track and detonated by a train wheel as a signal to the crew
an explosive cartridge lowered into oil wells, where it is detonated to clear the bore or to break through to the oil pocket
a gangster or gunman hired as a bodyguard, assassin, etc.

Origin of torpedo

L, numbness, crampfish from torpere, to be stiff: see torpid

transitive verb

-·doed, -·do·ing

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

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"torpedo." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Torpedo>.

APA Style

torpedo. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Torpedo

torpedo

noun

pl. tor·pe·does

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 a hazard ahead.
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.
See electric ray.
Slang A professional assassin or thug.
Chiefly New Jersey See submarine sandwich.

transitive verb

tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing, tor·pe·does

To attack, strike, or sink with a torpedo.
To destroy decisively; wreck: torpedo efforts at reform.

Origin of torpedo

Latin torpēdō numbness, electric ray from torpēre to be stiff ; see ster-¹ in Indo-European roots.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"torpedo." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Torpedo>.

APA Style

torpedo. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Torpedo

Noun

(plural torpedoes or torpedos)

(military) A cylindrical explosive projectile that can travel underwater and is used as a weapon.
A fish having wings that generate electric current, a kind of electric ray.
(regional) A submarine sandwich.
(archaic, military) A naval mine.
(slang) A professional gunman or assassin.
(rail transport, US) a small explosive device attached to the top of the rail to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it
A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.

Verb

(third-person singular simple present torpedoes, present participle torpedoing, simple past and past participle torpedoed)

To send a torpedo, usually from a submarine, that explodes below the waterline of the target ship.
To sink a ship with one of more torpedoes.
To undermine or destroy any endeavor with a stealthy, powerful attack.

Origin

From Latin torpÄ“dÅ (“a torpedo fish"), from torpÄ“dÅ (“numbness, torpidity, electric ray"), from torpeÅ (“I am stiff, numb, torpid; I am astounded; I am inactive") and -dÅ (“noun suffix"), from Proto-Indo-European *ster (“stiff"), see also Old English steorfan (“to die"), Ancient Greek ÏƒÏ„ÎµÏÎµÏŒÏ‚ (stereos, “solid"), Lithuanian tirpstu (“to become rigid"), Old Church Slavonic Ñ‚Ñ€ÑƒÐ¿ÐµÑ‚Ð¸ (trupeti)