Torpedo
[tɔː'piːdəʊ] or [tɔr'pido]
Definition
(noun.) armament consisting of a long cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile that detonates on contact with a target.
(noun.) a small explosive device that is placed on a railroad track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead.
(noun.) a small firework that consists of a percussion cap and some gravel wrapped in paper; explodes when thrown forcefully against a hard surface.
(noun.) an explosive device that is set off in an oil well (or a gas well) to start or to increase the flow of oil (or gas).
(verb.) attack or hit with torpedoes.
Typist: Steven--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes belonging to Torpedo and allied genera. They are related to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical shocks. Called also crampfish, and numbfish. See Electrical fish, under Electrical.
(n.) An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up.
(n.) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so arranged that they will be exploded when touched by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore.
(n.) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive charge, and projected from a ship against another ship at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise automatic in its action against a distant ship.
(n.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it.
(n.) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.
(n.) An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of obstructions or to open communication with a source of supply of oil.
(n.) A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
(v. t.) to destroy by, or subject to the action of, a torpedo.
Typist: Ralph
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Cramp-fish, electric ray (Torpedo vulgaris).
Checker: Marge
Definition
n. a genus of cartilaginous fishes of family Torpedinid related to the skates and rays with electric organs on each side of the head giving an electric shock when touched so as to produce torpor or numbness the cramp-fish: a submarine weapon of offence carrying a charge of gun-cotton or other explosive and possessing powers of locomotion—in distinction to a submarine mine which is stationary and used for defensive purposes:—pl. Torpē′does.—v.t. to attack with torpedoes to explode a torpedo in or under.—adj. Torped′inous.—ns. Torpē′do-boat a small swift steamer from which torpedoes are discharged; Torpē′do-boom a spar for carrying a torpedo projecting from a boat or anchored in a channel; Torpē′do-catch′er a swift vessel for capturing torpedo-boats; Torpē′doist one skilled in the management of torpedoes; Torpē′do-net a net of wire hung at some distance round a ship to intercept torpedoes.
Editor: Whitney
Examples
- Torpedo boats of this type have been acquired by, and now form a part of, the United States Navy. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The United States has 37 of these torpedo boats. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The torpedo boat destroyer is a larger and swifter boat, whose special duty it is to overtake and destroy this dangerous little fighter. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The highest speed ever attained, however, is by the British torpedo boat Viper, which is 210 feet long, and, like the Turbinia, is equipped with the Parsons steam turbines. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- At length, on February 28, 1801, Fulton received word from Napoleon, the First Consul, to send his torpedo-boat against the English fleet. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The most important of the latter is the torpedo, of which the Whitehead, or fish torpedo, which supplies its own means of propulsion, is the best known and most used. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Sherman at once ordered his prisoners to the front, moving them in a compact body in advance, to either explode the torpedoes or dig them up. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Barlow was able to assist him with money until he had built and actually navigated some of his torpedoes along the coast. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Chambers of the United States Navy, is in use on all torpedoes. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- In some special applications, however, as for propelling torpedoes, where its cost is entirely subordinate to effective results, it might prove to be of value. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Napoleon, as First Consul, bargained with him over his invention of torpedoes. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- In time, rockets, squibs and torpedoes were included in the consignment, but it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that their use became general in America. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
Checker: Witt