n. pl. tor·pe·does 1. 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. 2. Any of various submarine explosive devices, especially a submarine mine. 3. 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. 4. An explosive fired in an oil or gas well to begin or increase the flow. 5. A small firework consisting of gravel wrapped in tissue paper with a percussion cap that explodes when thrown against a hard surface. 6. See electric ray. 7. Slang A professional assassin or thug. tr.v. tor·pe·doed, tor·pe·do·ing, tor·pe·does 1. To attack, strike, or sink with a torpedo. 2. To destroy decisively; wreck: torpedo efforts at reform. [Latin torpēdō, numbness, electric ray, from torpēre, to be stiff; see ster-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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