Torpedo boat

Torpedo boat
Torpedo Tor*pe"do, n.; pl. {Torpedoes}. [L. torpedo, -inis, from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See {Torpid}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) 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}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European torpedo ({Torpedo vulgaris}) and the American species ({Torpedo occidentalis}) are the best known. [1913 Webster]

2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up; a mine[4]. Specifically: [1913 Webster +PJC] (a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so designed that they will explode when touched or approached by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore; now called {marine mine}. [obsolete] [1913 Webster +PJC]

Damn the torpedoes -- full speed ahead! --Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (At the battle of Mobile Bay, 1864). (b) 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. [1913 Webster]

3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it; now called {land mine}. [obsolete] [1913 Webster +PJC]

4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal. [1913 Webster]

5. 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. [1913 Webster]

6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object. [1913 Webster]

7. An automobile with a {torpedo body}. [Archaic Cant] [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

{Fish torpedo}, a spindle-shaped, or fish-shaped, self-propelling submarine torpedo.

{Spar torpedo}, a canister or other vessel containing an explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo.

{Torpedo boat}, a vessel adapted for carrying, launching, operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against an enemy's ship., especially, a small, fast boat with tubes for launching torpedoes.

{Torpedo nettings}, nettings made of chains or bars, which can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against torpedoes. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • torpedo boat — ☆ torpedo boat n. a small, fast, maneuverable warship with torpedoes as its main weaponry …   English World dictionary

  • Torpedo boat — A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created …   Wikipedia

  • torpedo boat — noun small high speed warship designed for torpedo attacks in coastal waters • Hypernyms: ↑warship, ↑war vessel, ↑combat ship • Hyponyms: ↑PT boat, ↑mosquito boat, ↑mosquito craft, ↑motor torpedo boat …   Useful english dictionary

  • Torpedo-boat destroyer — Tor*pe do boat de*stroy er A larger, swifter, and more powerful armed type of torpedo boat, originally intended principally for the destruction of torpedo boats, but later used also as a more formidable torpedo boat. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • torpedo-boat destroyer — [tôr pē′dō bōt΄] n. a former warship like a torpedo boat but larger and more heavily armed, originally designed to destroy torpedo boats …   English World dictionary

  • torpedo-boat destroyer — noun small destroyer that was the forerunner of modern destroyers; designed to destroy torpedo boats • Hypernyms: ↑destroyer, ↑guided missile destroyer * * * noun Etymology: torpedo boat : a large, swift, and powerful armed torpedo boat or …   Useful english dictionary

  • Torpedo boat type 35 — The Type 35 and Type 37 Torpedo boats were small destroyers (German: Flottentorpedoboot Fleet Torpedo Boat ) built for the Kriegsmarine between 1939 and 1942. They were designed to exploit a clause in the Washington Naval Treaty, which stipulated …   Wikipedia

  • torpedo-boat destroyer — /tawr pee doh boht / a vessel somewhat larger than the ordinary torpedo boat, designed for destroying torpedo boats or as a more powerful form of torpedo boat. [1890 95] * * * …   Universalium

  • torpedo-boat destroyer — /tɔˈpidoʊ ˌboʊt dəˈstrɔɪə/ (say taw peedoh .boht duh stroyuh) noun a vessel somewhat larger than the ordinary torpedo boat, designed for the destruction of enemy torpedo boats, or as a more powerful form of torpedo boat …  

  • torpedo boat — noun Date: 1810 a boat designed for launching torpedoes; specifically a small very fast boat with one or more torpedo tubes …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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